By Hauwa Ali
The Nigerian Navy has received five semi- ballistic gunboats from the Nigeria’s Navy Shipyar Limited (NSL) to improve the country’s defence.
The five gunboats received recently, form the second batch delivered by NSL since production commenced last year with a batch of four.
Each boat has a length of 9.22 metres and powered by twin 250HP outboard motors and is equipped with sophisticated navigational and communication equipment.
Chief of Defence Staff, Major General Lucky Iraboh said the building of gunboats formed part of the federal government’s efforts to develop a robust military industry complex capable of meeting the defence needs of the country.
“We have always known that there is a need for the country to look inwards to build local capacities and encourage sustainability of our local industries,” General Iraboh said.
“The successes recorded with the first set of ballistic gunboats informed our decision to award these additional five gunboats to the shipyard,” he said, adding that by building locally, Nigeria had saved millions in foreign currency.
He maintained the locally produced gunboats were better designed and durable compared to most ballistic gunboats produced abroad.
“We are happy that our confidence in the capacity of the NSL has been justified with the delivery of this second batch of gunboats.
“It is a legitimate ambition for Nigeria to become a major player in the global ship building industry, especially when the industry has the armed forces as key stakeholder. Achieving this will help to wean our country from over-dependence on foreign military technology, boost our local technology base and conserve foreign exchange.”
The gunboats are to be deployed immediately alongside Nigerian military in the various theatres of operations in the Niger Delta and the country at large.
General Iraboh referred to the re-armament of the military, especially the navy, which he said resulted in the current improvement of security in the nation’s waterways and the Gulf of Guinea.
“The improved security in the maritime environment prompted the International Maritime Bureau on 3 March to delist Nigeria from countries affected by sea pirates.”
