Turkish defense companies have secured contracts to enhance the security of Nigerian borders, utilizing cutting-edge technology such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) among other solutions.
This recent agreement between Nigerian authorities and Turkish defense firms signifies the ongoing development of a military partnership that has evolved over the years.
According to defenseweb, an African online defense and security publication, ASISGUARD, a Turkish defense company, has been awarded a contract to provide an integrated border security solution for Nigeria.
This significant agreement highlights ASISGUARD’s expertise in defense technology and underscores Nigeria’s dedication to strengthening its border security capabilities.
The project encompasses products for detection, command and control, and precautionary/intervention measures.
At the heart of this contract are ASISGUARD’s advanced Songar drones, which have earned international recognition for their outstanding performance and reliability across various defense applications.
Equipped with advanced artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities, Songar drones are designed to autonomously detect, track, and neutralize targets with exceptional precision and efficiency.
This is not the first time Turkish ASISGUARD has secured a contract in Nigeria. In October of the previous year, the Turkish company supplied at least 10 Songar armed drones to Nigerian counter-terrorism forces.
The delivery of Songar systems to the Nigerian Police Force and Army was completed on September 15, 2022.
In January 2022, Nigeria and Turkey initiated discussions on defense collaboration for counter-terrorism support and the potential acquisition of various military hardware, including attack helicopters, armed drones, and infantry systems.
Another Turkish company, Havelsan, recently confirmed the export of its BAHA ‘Sub-Cloud Unmanned Aerial Vehicle’ to an undisclosed African country, believed to be Nigeria.
In their enduring military partnership, Turkey has provided Nigeria with military equipment to bolster its efforts in combating Boko Haram terrorists and other armed groups. Upcoming deliveries include six T-129 attack helicopters from Turkish Aerospace Industries, two offshore patrol vessels from Dearsan, and six Bayraktar TB2 UAVs from Baykar.
In recent years, the Nigerian military has cultivated strong ties with Turkish defense companies, acquiring a range of equipment from UAVs to offshore patrol vessels.
