₦airaland Forum

kabe1:
Nigerian Navy Unveils Special Operations Command (NNSOC) Forces.

kabe1:
Nigerian Navy Unveils Special Operations Command (NNSOC) Forces.

kenpaul0:
Is this different from the SBS?

Odunayaw:
I read something mentioning Navy Marines in this command. Do you know anything about them?

kabe1:
Nigerian Navy Ground Forces.

ViceAdmirlAgain:
Newly unveiled Namibian Defence Force UAV carried on a Shaanxi SX2190 6x6 truck(licensed copy of the Steyr 91) , anyone to help ID it

https://www.youtube.com/live/BnGmq8tt6-Q?si=IPpiQUMgwsBIsBks

Odunayaw:
I had a discuss with Beegeagle a month ago on this matter of Navy infantry/marine thing.

IMO it's an unnecessary swelling of NN size, strain on their budget and duplication of responsibility existing with NA (amph bde). I mean this a NN we're praying for fighting ships for, angling to pick up the ball other lazy MDAs/LEAs have dropped.

NN must not confuse activity with importance. I think they are the arm of service that have a true claim to strategic importance.

For example, NA's 6 Div is still struggling to come to full strength. I can't remember when last I heard anything of 81 Div. The money (or/and the will) is not there. What have they promised NN that's fueling the Marines?

kabe1:
As it pertains to the Nigerian Navy, what have you seen in the sea battle of the Russia - Ukraine war?


Many people might not like it, but the truth about the matter is Nigerian Navy does not require fighting ships like Frigates and Submarines.

What we might need are Corvettes, big might.

For conventional warfare the Nigerian Navy should be composed of Anti-ship capabilities, such as USV and land based defence systems.

The Ukrainian Navy's vessel strength ceased to exist in a couple of days into the war with Russia. So why invest in Frigates and Submarines when they'll all get blown up in the first few hours of conventional warfare?

We need to re-think blue water capabilities.

Big ships like Frigates and Submarines are nice and fancy in pictures, but if you're not a world power they are meaningless in conventional warfare.

Our current trajectory is great, we need to invest in other areas, OPVs are needed to patrol our waters, LST's for beach assault and small missile boats if we want to invest in conventional capabilities.

Odunayaw:
I am aware of reality so my point about strategic importance isn't about Frigs and subs. They are nice to haves but are secondary based on our place in the world.

What I'm pointing is the paradigm shift of NN gradually inland. This preoccupation with land warfare. There is so much to do in the Gulf of guinea for it to be dipping its feet in faraway Benue.

NA has two divisions designated amphibious. Ideally that should be 20k forces. In my discussion with Beeg he simply could not offer a rebuttal to my position on them.

Exnavyboy62:
I don’t think the Nigerian Navy Marines unit is aiming to be a large scale force that would put a strain on the defence budget. My guess is that they would operate the same way the Indian Navy’s MARCOS special ops do. Their main duty would probably be to infiltrate enemy shores to conduct reconnaissance and prepare an amphibious force for where and how to land on enemy territory. (Think of it like a military pre-inspection team coming before the main inspection team). They would also support army amphibious units and conduct naval special operations when needed.

Now about the concern for the navy occupying itself with land warfare, In the past few years, West Africa has experienced a number of attempted and successful coups. Ecomog has to take action at some point and quell the trend of military displacement of democratic governments as per the ECOWAS treaty. Nigeria’s contribution to Ecomog’s forces will be the most crucial being that it is the regional power. So if a decision is made that ecomog forces would intervene in a country with a hostile situation, the Nigerian Navy Marines unit will help operations run smooth and easy and according to plan especially if it’s a coastal country.

And about the part where the special operations command is based in Benue state, the Nigerian Navy chose to establish presence there to train some of its personnel on land warfare to support other sister security agencies in security operations. Which makes sense because the Joint Task Force encompasses personnel of different security agencies to engage in land operations against insurgents and bandits, regardless of specialty. And I think the defence headquarters also wanted to ensure the security of Benue state. You can check the link below.

https://thenationonlineng.net/why-were-establishing-special-operations-command-in-makurdi-cns-explains/

Odunayaw:
There is enough precedence to fear NN is placing too much focus inland. I mean check that news report, "deployed to 30 states." That's not a thing to celebrate!
I mean, the CNS stated[in another place] the service has 30k+ personnel and I gasped. 30k for what tonnage Navy?!

MARCOS are exactly what our SBS is. However, I have always wanted a ranger/marine unit for NN in order to free up the SBS, but uninspiring insinuation of a policing focus is my concern.

Odunayaw:
I am aware of reality so my point about strategic importance isn't about Frigs and subs. They are nice to haves but are secondary based on our place in the world.

What I'm pointing is the paradigm shift of NN gradually inland. This preoccupation with land warfare. There is so much to do in the Gulf of guinea for it to be dipping its feet in faraway Benue.

NA has two divisions designated amphibious. Ideally that should be 20k forces. In my discussion with Beeg he simply could not offer a rebuttal to my position on them.

Odunayaw:
There is enough precedence to fear NN is placing too much focus inland. I mean check that news report, "deployed to 30 states." That's not a thing to celebrate!
I mean, the CNS stated[in another place] the service has 30k+ personnel and I gasped. 30k for what tonnage Navy?!

MARCOS are exactly what our SBS is. However, I have always wanted a ranger/marine unit for NN in order to free up the SBS, but uninspiring insinuation of a policing focus is my concern.

kenpaul0:
Chief, has Beeg opened another blog

Faithful007:
One thing I’ve come to realize about Africans and African governments is that we/they place so much value on how impressive, fascinating or sophisticated a project appears,

Rather than the economic benefits and practical utility of that thing as opposed to its initial and running costs.

A lot of government spending in Africa goes into vanity projects.

Faithful007:
One thing I’ve come to realize about Africans and African governments is that we/they place so much value on how impressive, fascinating or sophisticated a project appears,

Rather than the economic benefits and practical utility of that thing as opposed to its initial and running costs.

A lot of government spending in Africa goes into vanity projects.

kabe1:
You completely miss the point.

The primary reason for standing a marine unit is to support ground operations in Nigeria.

You build your security architecture according to the threats the you face not the equipment you can buy?

What's the use of Tonnage if the NW and NE are on fire?

You seem to think the only task of the navy is going to sea?

Why did US Marines operate in Afghanistan? I don't see any beaches in Kandahar!!

You cannot have an arm of the military that does nothing, there is precedence to show a marine corp for the Navy will be beneficial for the armed forces of Nigeria.

I mean, the Navy has deployed SBS in the NE.

Odunayaw:
Wdym an arm of the military that does nothing? The work in the coasts and in the Gulf of guinea is nothing?

I have said it, the issue is not merely NN setting up a marine regiment. Rather, It's the focus on internal inland operations. You gloss over the fact that NA has two amphibious divisions. What is a brigade strength going to add?

Lastly, the SBS is special forces and it's not a surprise they operate in the NE. They're all terrain.

kabe1:
Cite contexts so that i rebuttal can be provided.

Generalization and over simplification of complex matters does not give credence.

If you're reffering to the Nigerian Navy specifically, this doesn't apply here.

Faithful007:
It applies to all aspects of government spending. Not just military. However, in this, it still applies.

The Nigerian Marine corps you're talking about, what exactly is their role? Countries with marines mostly have expeditionary interests hence the name marine. But

kabe1:
Please can you name the expeditionary interests the Philippines, Mexico , Brazil and Colombia have?

Faithful007:
Some have it but may not need it. I’m not here defend countries with Marines corps.

My point is that Marines are ‘naval infantry’ to storm enemy beaches and ports, they’re not for counter insurgency. I’m guessing Most of those countries likely don’t have army amphibious divisions. It’s the same thing.

In conclusion, forming a marine corps under the navy for the purpose of counter insurgency, is as stupid as it sounds.