MILITANCY, VANDALISM: NAVY TO ACQUIRE UMVs & UAV’s TO TACKLE MENACE – Vice Admiral Ibas.

MILITANCY, VANDALISM: NAVY TO ACQUIRE UMVs & UAV’s TO TACKLE MENACE – Vice Admiral Ibas.
Following renewed militant’s attack on oil platforms and gas pipelines in the Niger Delta, the Nigerian Navy yesterday commenced modalities to train its officers and ratings in the use of un-manned maritime vessels (UMVs) as well as un-manned aerial vessels (UAVs) to be deployed soon into operations.
Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ibas who made the disclosure yesterday at the signing of an (MOU) Memorandum of Understanding, between the Nigerian Navy and the Indian Navy, noted that Navy personnel for the un-manned vessels will be trained in India with a view to enhancing surveillance capability.
Represented by the Chief of Policy and Plans, Rear Admiral Johnson Olutoyin, the CNS also stated that in the MOU, it was agreed that joint and combined sea exercises will be held between the Indian Navy and the Nigerian Navy adding “In this regard, Nigerian Navy Special Forces will participate in Joint Special Operations to be organized by the Indian Navy”.
It was gathered that the move by the naval authorities is pursuant to the Nigerian Navy acquiring the unmanned maritime vehicles soon.
“Another area of agreement, was undertaking a joint survey of the Nigerian Coast and collaboration in design, construction and building of a survey ship and landing ship tank in Nigeria” the CNS said.
Towards “Maritime Domain Awareness, agreement was reached to train Nigerian Naval personnel on enhanced security for the Gulf of Guinea while the Nigerian Navy will join the Indian Navy Wide Shipping Information Sharing Group” Ibas further said.
The signing of the MOU is the outcome of two days of deliberations between a 3-man Indian Navy delegation led by the Assistant Chief of Naval Staff in charge of Cooperation and Intelligence, Rear Admiral Dhiren Vig while Rear Admiral Obiora Medani led the Nigerian Navy team.
The MOU is also sequel to the decisions reached during the 3rd Joint Defence Cooperation Committee meeting between India and Nigeria held at Delhi, India between 10 and 11 August 2015.
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