The Nigerian Military, in partnership with Briech UAS, an indigenous communications company, has launched the first and largest locally developed attack drones and bombs in both Nigeria and Africa.
The unveiling took place at Briech UAS headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday, with a demonstration of the attack drones and bombs. The event was attended by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, who lauded the initiative as a significant achievement for Nigeria’s path to self-reliance in defence technology. He described it as a vital step in strengthening national security.
Musa highlighted that the introduction of combat drones comes at a crucial time, stressing their importance in modern intelligence gathering. He noted that these drones would provide the Nigerian military with a powerful tool to combat increasingly complex security threats. “These force multipliers will play a vital role in enhancing the operational effectiveness of our military,” he said. He also pointed out that countries not producing their own military hardware face bureaucratic and diplomatic challenges when acquiring advanced military equipment. Musa stressed that Nigeria’s initiative to produce drones locally would reduce its dependency on foreign sources, ensuring quicker acquisition and more responsive actions to security threats. “If you don’t produce what you need, you will be at the mercy of others, even when you have the financial resources to acquire them,” he remarked.
He further emphasised that locally manufactured drones would boost Nigeria’s security capabilities by reducing external dependencies and fostering domestic innovation. “By manufacturing these drones locally, Nigeria reduces its dependence on foreign resources, ensures prompt acquisition, and strengthens its ability to respond swiftly to security threats,” Musa said. He also expressed confidence in Nigeria’s potential to create cutting-edge technology that can compete globally, praising the country’s youth for their creativity and innovation.
The Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang, underscored the importance of supporting indigenous products for national growth. He mentioned that the locally developed drones would help protect Nigeria’s sovereignty, both in Plateau and across the country. Mutfwang revealed that these drones were already being deployed in his state, improving the efficiency of ground forces. He also pointed out that Plateau was collaborating with local manufacturers like Briech UAS to fight insurgency with domestically produced weapons.
Mutfwang also discussed the past mistakes made in allowing non-state actors to acquire capabilities almost on par with those of state actors. “As a nation, we made a mistake by allowing non-state actors to acquire capabilities that nearly rival those of state actors,” he said. He further emphasized the importance of rectifying this imbalance, ensuring that only legitimate state forces possess the tools to protect the nation’s sovereignty. “We have entered into a partnership that has enabled the deployment of these facilities in our state. We must ensure that no one within our borders possesses capabilities that match or exceed those entrusted with the constitutional duty of protecting our national sovereignty,” he added.
Dr Bright Echefu, the Chairman of Briech UAS, noted the growing threat 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. They are being deployed to coordinate ambushes and execute crude aerial strikes,” he said.
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