On Wednesday, April 2, the Nigerian military, in collaboration with Briech UAS, a leading communications company, unveiled Nigeria’s first and largest indigenous attack drones and bombs, marking a significant milestone in the country’s defense technology development.
The demonstration of these locally-made attack drones and bombs took place at Briech UAS’s headquarters in Abuja, with top officials in attendance.
General Christopher Musa, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), called the development “a major milestone” in Nigeria’s journey toward self-reliance in defense technology. He also emphasized that the drones would play an essential role in enhancing the military’s ability to tackle increasingly complex security threats.
“These force multipliers will play a vital role in enhancing the operational effectiveness of our military, especially in this era of complex and asymmetric threats,” Gen. Musa stated. He added that the ability to produce these drones locally would reduce Nigeria’s dependency on foreign resources, making the country more agile in responding to security challenges.
Musa also noted that without producing these technologies locally, countries would often face bureaucratic delays and diplomatic issues when trying to acquire advanced military hardware from abroad. He emphasized, “If you don’t produce what you need, you will be at the mercy of others, even when you have the financial resources.”
The Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang, praised the drones, highlighting their role in protecting the country’s sovereignty. He revealed that some of the drones had already been deployed in Plateau to help improve the efficiency of ground forces, stressing that the state’s partnership with Briech UAS is crucial in fighting insurgency.
Mutfwang remarked, “It is time to rectify the imbalance of allowing non-state actors to acquire capabilities that almost rival those of our legitimate security forces.”
Dr. Bright Echefu, Chairman of Briech UAS, spoke about the challenges posed by insurgent groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP, who have been using commercial drones for reconnaissance and attacks. “These drones have been used to track and attack our troops and execute ambushes,” he said.
The unveiling of the indigenous drones and bombs marks a transformative moment for Nigeria, demonstrating the country’s growing capability to secure its borders and defend its sovereignty using domestically produced technology.
