The Nigerian Army has earmarked N3.350 billion in the 2024 budget for the procurement of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (drones) and the revitalisation of its aviation unit.
Of the amount, the Nigerian Army authorities has budgeted the sum of N2.555billion for the operationalisation of its revived aviation unit, while N850m is for the acquisition of drones.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, in September explained that the Army had to revive the aviation unit in 2014 to complement ground troops’ responsiveness, agility and efficiency during operations.
He noted that in countries like the United States, Egypt, Kenya and Pakistan, their aviation units had shown effectiveness in combating contemporary security threats and providing vital support for ground forces.
In line with this, the army chief disclosed during the opening of the maiden Nigerian Army Aviation seminar in Abuja on September 26 that the President had approved the procurement of 12 MD 530F Cayuse Attack Helicopters by the army.
He had said at the event, “I am happy to inform you that the Nigerian Army is willing to learn from the army aviation journeys of the countries mentioned earlier. Our willingness to learn from them is to adapt their best practices to suit our unique operational environment and avoid their mistakes.
“The COAS said the army had submitted the aviation outfit to the Nigerian Air Force for proper mentoring.”
He said further that the army was willing to learn from the army aviation journeys of other countries and that the “willingness to learn from them is to adapt their best practices to suit our unique operational environment and avoid their mistakes. The army had submitted the aviation outfit to the air force for proper mentoring.”
Meanwhile, the army had come under severe attack after its UAV accidentally bombed some villagers in Tudun Biri in the Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State on Sunday night. The death toll from the attack was said to have risen to 126 on Thursday, while many others who sustained varying degrees of injuries were undergoing treatment in the hospital.
*Text, except headline, courtesy: DAILY TRUST
