The Nigerian military, in collaboration with Briech UAS, has taken a significant step towards self-sufficiency in defense technology with the launch of locally manufactured bombs and drones in Abuja.
At the unveiling and demonstration of the nation’s first indigenous attack drones, Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, hailed the achievement as a milestone in strengthening national security.
He emphasized that the drones would be instrumental in intelligence gathering and executing decisive military operations in an era of complex and asymmetric security threats.
“These force multipliers will play a vital role in enhancing the operational effectiveness of our military and other areas in a world where the global politics surrounding the procurement of advanced military hardware, particularly combat drones, have become more intricate,” Musa stated.
Highlighting the challenges associated with acquiring foreign military hardware, Musa pointed out that countries reliant on external suppliers often face bureaucratic hurdles and diplomatic delays.
He stressed the importance of indigenous production, saying, “So we know what it means if you don’t produce what you need, you’ll be held whenever you need them, even with your money at hand.”
He further asserted that by producing these drones locally, Nigeria would reduce its reliance on foreign resources, ensuring faster procurement and improved security response capabilities.
“I’m sure, with the great minds we have, especially with the youths in, we can produce something that will be very, very outstanding anywhere in the world,” he added.
Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang, also spoke at the event, underscoring the necessity of supporting locally made products to foster sustainable national growth.
He revealed that his administration is collaborating with Briech UAS to enhance security efforts in Plateau State, deploying some of these domestically produced technologies in counterinsurgency operations.
“We have seen great improvement in the efficiency of the forces on the ground,” Mutfwang remarked. He lamented past missteps that allowed non-state actors to acquire advanced weaponry, arguing that the country must rectify this imbalance. “We must get to the point where no one operates within our borders with capabilities that compete, not to talk of exceed, those of us who have been charged with the Constitutional responsibility for protecting our national sovereignty.”
Chairman of Briech UAS, Bright Echefu, highlighted the evolving tactics of insurgent groups such as Boko Haram and ISWAP, which have recently begun using commercial drones for reconnaissance and attacks.
“These drones have been used to track and also attack our troops. They’ve been using these drones to coordinate ambushes and execute crude aerial strikes,” he explained.
Echefu described the newly developed Nigerian drones and bombs as cutting-edge solutions tailored to address the nation’s security challenges.
“We have dedicated ourselves to developing good surveillance and attack drones tailored to meeting the unique challenges faced by our country,” he stated.
This landmark achievement signals a new era for Nigeria’s defense strategy, positioning the country towards greater self-reliance and enhanced security capabilities in the fight against insurgency and other threats.
