Nigerian Air Force To Enhance Weapon System Through Collaboration With CSTP

In furtherance of the drive for self-reliance, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) is seeking to enhance its weapon delivery capability through collaboration with the Centre for Space Transport and Propulsion (CSTP)...

Receiving a team of CSTP officials at Headquarters Nigerian Air Force, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar stated that “the NAF is zealous about optimizing indigenous capacity and willing to expand existing frontier of collaboration with research institutions in the country that possess the potential to enhance its operations”.

Air Marshal Abubakar stated that with the recent launch of experimental rocket by CSTP to a height of 5km, the NAF intends to take advantage of this feat to improve its weapon delivery capability by leveraging on existing partnership with National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA).

 The possible areas of collaboration, the CAS noted, include extending the range of rocket release beyond 1.5 km for Mi-35 helicopters, development of guided munitions, as well as weapon delivery capacity for own made Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV).

Beyond the ongoing counterinsurgency operations in the Northeast, Air Marshal Abubakar stated that these objectives are crucial to fulfilling NAF statutory roles, both now and in the future.

Meanwhile, the Director of Engineering and Space Systems, Dr Femi Agboola, representing the Director General NASRDA, has said that the Agency has the capacity to meet the aspirations by the NAF.