… as CDS decries diplomatic hurdles in defence equipment purchase
The Govenor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang alongside the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa on Wednesday, inspected and unveiled a drone, missile and bomb manufacturing facility at BRIECH UAS Limited in Abuja.
Governor Muftuang, while speaking at the unveiling ceremony, regretted that the liberty granted to non-state actors to acquire capabilities was responsible for the growing spate of insecurity, which has almost overwhelmed state actors
Mutfwang added that the country must ensure that no one operates within the country’s borders with capabilities that compete with those charged with the constitutional responsibility to protect its national sovereignty.
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He said: “Indeed, we have made a mistake as a nation when we allowed non-state actors to acquire capabilities that are almost overwhelming state actors and it is time to address that disadvantage.
“We must get to the point where no one operates within our borders with capabilities that compete, not to talk of exceed, those who have been charged with the constitutional responsibility for protecting our national sovereignty.”
In his remarks, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Chris Musa, decried the bureaucratic bottlenecks and diplomatic hurdles Nigeria faces in acquiring defence equipment.
According to him, “In a world where the global politics surrounding the procurement of advanced military hardware, particularly combat drones, have become more intricate, countries that do not produce such solutions are made to face bureaucratic bottlenecks and diplomatic hurdles in acquiring these critical platforms.
“We are facing such challenges directly, so we know what it means. If you don’t produce what you need, you’ll be held whenever you need them, even with your money at hand.
“It is in this context that the indigenous production of unmanned combat aerial vehicles becomes an invaluable strategic asset.”
The Chairman of BRIECH Group, Bright Echefu, in gis remarks, sought the collaboration of the Federal and State governments in the procurement of drones, to combat insurgents.
He said: “At BRIECH UAS, we have dedicated ourselves to developing both surveillance and attack drones tailored to meet the unique challenges faced by our country.
“Our surveillance drones are engineered to provide real-time intelligence, surveillance,and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities, ensuring constant vigilance over our vast and diverse terrain.
“These UAVs are equipped with advanced sensors and imaging technologies, enabling them to detect and monitor activities that may pose threats to our national security.”
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