₦airaland Forum

UzorIyke:
They're also correct, Nigeria did not have international threat, since 1960 till date any problems we have with foreign power we usually solve them diplomatically or through international courts around the world, moreover a good and well equipped police can stop the internal security challenges we're having today like the book haram you mentioned. Nevertheless since we have money to acquire military equipment, I'm happy that they did it, because tomorrow is pregnant, no one knows what it holds.
Thanks.

Mynd44:
I have not mentioned military spending or defense budgets. I agree with increased capacity of the Navy (the falcon eye system has done wonders), upgrading the capacity of aircraft's, tanks and personnel carriers along with equipping soldiers better but when people put an air defense system above all this, I don’t agree.

Air defense system's effectiveness is low even in places like America, China and Russia. They rely more on actually aircrafts that "hitting a bullet with a bullet" mentality that an air defense system does.

helinues:
Boss, rest, not all arguments you can win after all, I am not alone with my opinion on this thread

We need improvement in our defense system whether ground or air

EOD

Mynd44:
Any country whose aircraft can reach us without us taking those aircraft out will easily sidestep whatever air defense system we have. Note that no country on the continent is on that list.

Iran spent billions on air defense, didn't stop then from getting bombed, same with Isreal, Saudi Arabia, UAE etc

helinues:
Kidnappers, bandits are they not criminals? Must all the criminals be listed in one comments? Go through this thread and see people relaying same thing I said above.

The point it, our defense system whether air or ground have been useless because if not, the miscreants who are just in their low number can't be causing havoc is some part of the countries.

naptu2:
There is a big difference between these statements:

1) I don't know.

2) I have not heard.

And

3) There is no. . .


Nigerians enjoy saying bad things about their country and one of the ways they do this is to say the 3rd statement, when the true statements would have been numbers 1 or 2.

I'll give you an example with an old Nairaland thread.

A person from the UK came to Nairaland to ask if Nigeria has privacy laws. He was thinking of starting a detective agency and he wanted to know the limitations that the law would place on him.

My God, you should have seen the responses! "There is no such thing in Nigeria", "Have Nigerians ever heard of privacy"? One even said that it was a funny question.

Meanwhile, the right to private family life is right there in the constitution (which is quite relevant because the person was talking about things like cheating spouse, etc). Of course I posted the relevant sections on the thread. It was only me and two other people that were making sense on the thread.

One of the people that said that there were no privacy laws in Nigeria refused to take correction. She was all over the place, writing all kinds of weird things. One of the other guys decided to argue with her and force her to admit that she was wrong, but I had no energy for that kind of thing.

---

The latest example, in the past few years, have to do with Nigeria's air defence systems.

There are people that take joy in proclaiming that Nigeria has no air defence system. Meanwhile, I knew Nigeria's air defence systems 40 years ago o! Yet we are in 2026 and these funny people are not ashamed to ignorantly proclaim that Nigeria has no air defence system.

Anyway, my curiosity began in the early 1980s when someone that was in the Navy told me that the Navy's surface to air missiles were kept at a certain location in Apapa.

Of course I've told you many times about Kainji Dam. Military governments were obsessed with protecting our national assets and so I knew 40 years ago (1986) that there was an air base in Kainji, there was an army base there and several of these air defence systems were placed at Kainji to protect the dam from air attacks. That's 40 years ago o!

In fact do you remember the German air defence system that I often post about here (the anti-spam bot hates its name)? One of the reasons why I liked it was because it reminded me of one of the Nigerian air defence systems.

Remember that this was during the Cold War, so we had some systems from the west (France and Germany) and some systems from the east (Soviet Union).

For example, we had the Roland Air Defence System (anti-missile missile) from the west and the Shilka Air Defence System (anti-missile and anti-air craft gun).

That was 40 years ago.

helinues:
Boss, you are the one shifting here oo. You can't say you haven't read about the bandits using drones for surveillance, probably for attacking self.

Infact , I saw a news of a man arrested for being the supplier of drones to the bandits

So how should Nigeria protect her territory with drones from terrorists? Ground system or air system?

helinues:
But we have seen several news about bandits using drones? What could have been used to defend that? Land system?

helinues:
What exactly is the usefulness of those defense system when kidnappers are now kidnapping people at will not to talk of the miscreants bandits

If we have something to protect the citizens but can't use it effectively, it's not different from not having

Nigeria may buy Chinese air defense systems

By Daisuke Sato
May 5, 2025

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) is taking a major step toward enhancing its aerial security by exploring advanced Chinese air defense systems.

A delegation led by Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, Chief of the Air Staff, recently concluded a high-level visit to China aimed at expanding bilateral defense cooperation and improving Nigeria’s radar and missile defense infrastructure.

The visit, which took place between April 20 and 25, included stops in Beijing, Hefei, Nanjing, and Xi’an. According to the NAF, the delegation held meetings with senior executives from China Electronics Technology Group Corporation (CETC) and China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO), two of the country’s primary defense contractors.

Discussions reportedly focused on technologies essential to the implementation of the Military Total Radar Coverage of Nigeria (MTRACON) initiative. As part of the engagement, Chinese officials showcased a range of systems including high-energy laser counter-drone technologies and the Sky Dragon air defense system, which has already been exported to other African and Asian countries.

In a statement, Air Vice Marshal Suleiman Kabir Usman, who represented the Chief of the Air Staff during parts of the visit, praised the technical capabilities of the Chinese systems. He noted that sustained engagement with Chinese defense firms would be essential to ensure the long-term viability of any procurement or cooperation programs.

“The visit underscores the NAF’s commitment to leveraging global partnerships and cutting-edge technology to strengthen Nigeria’s defense capabilities,” the NAF said in a release.

The delegation also explored opportunities for training Nigerian Air Force cadets in China and discussed plans for a domestic Radar Maintenance and Research Facility to reduce long-term dependency on foreign technical support.

China continues to expand its defense footprint across Africa, aggressively marketing missile defense systems as part of its broader push for military-industrial influence on the continent.

Chinese, European firms battle for Nigeria’s strategic air defense and radar contract

June 5, 2025

Nigeria is intensifying efforts to modernize its air defense and radar systems by evaluating advanced solutions from Chinese and European firms to address evolving security threats in its airspace and the broader West African region.

⚫️ Nigeria is modernizing its air defense and radar systems to address regional security threats.

⚫️ European and Chinese firms are competing for the contract to provide radar technologies.

⚫️Implementing MTRACON may enhance regional airspace security and cooperation in West Africa.


Nigeria's plans to solidify and improve its air defense and radar systems is a step further in realizing its Military Total Radar Coverage of Nigeria (MTRACON) initiative, which is aimed at establishing a robust, integrated network of surveillance systems capable of detecting, tracking, and neutralizing aerial threats in real time.

The MTRACON initiative is central to Nigeria’s ambition to close long-standing gaps in radar coverage, particularly over remote and high-risk areas vulnerable to smuggling, insurgent drone incursions, and potential airspace violations.

Designed as a multi-layered system, it combines fixed and mobile radar installations with modern command and control centers, allowing for coordinated air defense responses and better situational awareness across Nigeria’s vast territory.

Military Africa reports that four major defense firms, which include Leonardo (Italy), Rheinmetall (Germany), Norinco (China), and Indra (Spain), are vying for a lucrative contract to supply advanced surveillance and detection technologies.

The report highlights Nigeria’s pressing need to upgrade its radar systems, as its existing air defense platforms, such as the Roland II and ZSU-23-4 Shilka, are no longer effective against contemporary aerial threats.

Coupled with persistent internal security issues such as insurgencies and threats to vital infrastructure, these weaknesses have elevated the MTRACON project to a top national priority.

Strategic defense bids underway

Rheinmetall is promoting its Skyguard 3 system to replace Nigeria’s ageing air defense platforms, offering protection against modern threats like cruise missiles and UAVs.

The company has engaged with Nigerian officials on broader defense needs, including ammunition supplies, in partnership with the defense Industries Corporation (DICON).

China’s Norinco is deeply involved in Nigeria’s MTRACON initiative, proposing radar and air defense infrastructure alongside talent development and a Radar Maintenance and Research Facility, highlighting a long-term commitment to local defense self-reliance.

Indra showcased integrated air traffic control, communication, radar, and counter-UAV solutions during a delegation visit that included Nigeria’s Chief of Air Staff, emphasizing support for both military and civilian needs.

Italy’s Leonardo is pitching its RAT 31DL/M, a NATO-standard long-range AESA radar capable of tracking multiple targets simultaneously and operating effectively under electronic jamming, making it a strong contender for Nigeria’s airspace security upgrade.

With Nigeria serving as a key military and economic power in the region, the implementation of MTRACON is expected to reinforce regional airspace management and provide early warning capabilities that could benefit neighbouring states facing similar asymmetric threats.

AlphaTaikun:
So, she got 10,000 USD from 'Seyi Tinubu who commended her for what she did despite violating the environmental laws?!

She definitely needs proper monitoring and advice on how charitable organizations work around the world. She seems to me like someone who just jumped on the band wagon and would eat up parts of that 10,000 USD by diverting it into other personal needs of hers.

She just has to STOP cooking along a place like Admiralty Way in Lekki Phase 1. Period.

pic.twitter.com/nJ6u4WGNrj

Seyi Tinubu Dashes Nollywood Actress Sarah Martins $10,000 after her unfortunate encounter with Lagos task force officials, who har@ssed her for cooking on the street in Lekki for the less privileged.#SEYITINUBU #dollars #lagos #lekki #lekkilagos #Sarah…

— Adékúnlé Odérìndé (@AdekunleOderind) October 17, 2025

KEEP LAGOS CLEAN

This Lady claims she is “cooking for charity” and she is using the Median around Admiralty, Lekki Phase 1 as her “kitchen”.

The KAI officials have arrested her with all her equipment and cleaned up the whole axis. #KeepLagosClean #ZeroToleranceLagos… pic.twitter.com/RWI8Q0zLVA

— Jubril A. Gawat (@Mr_JAGs) October 16, 2025