Turkish Firms awarded Contracts To Secure Nigerian Borders.
Turkish defense firms have secured contracts to enhance high-tech security measures along Nigeria's borders, including the deployment of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and other advanced solutions.
This recent contract signifies the continued development of the military partnership between Nigeria and Turkish defense companies. ASISGUARD, a Turkish defense firm, was awarded a contract to provide an integrated border security solution for Nigeria, as reported by the African defense and security news outlet, defenseweb. This agreement highlights ASISGUARD's expertise in defense technology and Nigeria's commitment to strengthening its border security capabilities.
The project encompasses a range of products for detection, command and control, and precautionary/intervention purposes. At the heart of this contract are ASISGUARD's cutting-edge Songar drones, renowned internationally for their exceptional performance and reliability in various defense applications. These Songar drones are equipped with advanced artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities, allowing them to autonomously detect, track, and neutralize targets with precision and efficiency.
Notably, this is not the first time ASISGUARD has been awarded a contract in Nigeria. In October of the previous year, the company supplied at least 10 Songar armed drones to Nigerian counter-terror forces, with delivery to the Nigerian Police Force and Army completed on September 15, 2022.
In January 2022, Nigeria and Turkey initiated discussions regarding defense collaboration, particularly in 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.
The ongoing military relationship between Turkey and Nigeria has seen Turkey provide military equipment to support Nigeria's efforts against Boko Haram terrorists and other armed groups. Turkey is set to deliver six T-129 attack helicopters from Turkish Aerospace Industries, two offshore patrol vessels from Dearsan, and six Bayraktar TB2 UAVs from Baykar.
Over the past few years, the Nigerian military has strengthened its ties with Turkish defense firms, acquiring a range of equipment from UAVs to offshore patrol vessels.
