NAF Graduates Anti-Drone Radar Experts to Boost Air Defence Capabilities
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has recorded another milestone in its drive for technological advancement and improved airspace security with the graduation of personnel trained on the Anti-Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Radar System.
The graduation ceremony, held at the Headquarters Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) in Maiduguri, marked a significant step in NAF’s efforts to enhance the nation’s air defence capabilities against emerging aerial threats.
Representing the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, the Chief of Communication and Information Systems (CCIS), Air Vice Marshal Suleiman Kabir Usman, said the training underscores the Service’s strategic commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s air defence network.
He explained that the initiative comes at a critical time when drone technology is reshaping both global and national security landscapes.
“Asymmetric warfare has evolved beyond traditional methods, with adversaries now deploying sophisticated technologies such as drones for surveillance and offensive missions. The NAF’s readiness, however, remains unmatched through continuous training, innovation, and investment in cutting-edge systems,” AVM Usman stated.
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He further highlighted several initiatives underpinning NAF’s modernization agenda, including the Military Total Radar Coverage of Nigeria (MTRACON) Project, the establishment of a Directorate of Cybersecurity, and the expansion of specialized programmes in surveillance and spectrum monitoring. These efforts, he said, are designed to ensure the Air Force remains adaptive and technologically dominant in contemporary warfare.
In his remarks, the Air Component Commander, OPHK, Air Commodore U.U. Idris, lauded the graduands for their professionalism and urged them to apply their newly acquired expertise with vigilance and integrity in safeguarding Nigeria’s airspace and national assets.
He described the Anti-UAV Radar as a highly advanced system capable of detecting low, slow, and small aerial targets — objects that traditional radar systems might overlook.
The CAS, through his representative, commended both the instructors and participants for their dedication to excellence and expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his continued support to the Nigerian Air Force.
He reaffirmed NAF’s commitment to innovation, capacity building, and technological progress in line with his command philosophy:
“To transform the Nigerian Air Force into an agile and resilient force capable of effectively meeting the airpower demands of national security in all operational environments.”
The graduation of the Anti-UAV Radar Operators is part of NAF’s broader efforts to enhance Nigeria’s airspace surveillance, improve response to aerial incursions, and strengthen counter-drone capabilities amid evolving security challenges.
By PRNigeria
