In an effort to strengthen maritime security, the Nigerian Navy has revealed that it has purchased two high-endurance offshore patrol boats from Dearsan Shipyard in Turkey.
Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, the Chief of Naval Staff, said this in Calabar on Wednesday during a lecture at Naval Warfare Course 8.
The CNS stated that the acquisition of the vessels was a component of his fleet renewal agenda for the navy in the speech titled “Vision and Mission for the Nigerian Navy.”
“The objective of the fleet renewal policy is to develop a system capable of sustaining effective and round-the-clock presence in the exclusive economic zones,” he said.
He noted that the naval shipyard was also constructing 20 houseboats for operations in the brown water.
“All these are being done in defence of Nigeria’s maritime interests. We have categorised the fleet renewal under short, medium, and long-term plans. We have acquired three combat helicopters for the air arm and strategic military drones for the Nigerian Navy arm,” he disclosed.
He said, “Several other platforms such as two 38m fast patrol craft and another 409m fast patrol boats under construction are expected soon.” He also mentioned that the navy has acquired two AW109SP helicopters in February.
According to Ogalla, three 46-meter swift patrol boats are scheduled to be launched in China in April and should arrive in the nation prior to the third quarter of the current year.
He also revealed that the long-term plan called for accepting delivery of the 20 houseboats that Naval Shipyard Limited was building and the high endurance offshore patrol measuring 76 meters.
Ogalla further stated the Navy War College’s curriculum will be updated to better prepare students for the dynamic changes that occur in the modern maritime environment.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that there are 24 participants in Naval Warfare Course 8, including two officers from the army and two from the navy, and 17 naval officers.
According to reports, the other three officers in the course were from Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, and Cameroon.
