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The Nigerian Military, in collaboration with Briech Unmanned Aerial Systems Limited, a communications company, has today Wednesday 2nd April 2025 unveiled the first and largest indigenous attack drones and bombs in Nigeria and Africa.
Briech UAS, in partnership with the Nigerian Military, demonstrated and unveiled these attack drones and bombs at the company’s headquarters on Wednesday in Abuja.
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Gwabin Musa, described the initiative as a major milestone in Nigeria’s journey toward self-reliance in defence technology and a significant step in strengthening national security capabilities.
Musa emphasised that the development of combat drones was a timely intervention, highlighting their efficiency in intelligence gathering.
He said that these drones would facilitate decisive actions against threats in an era where security challenges were increasingly complex and asymmetric.
"I am also pleased to know that the Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles developed have a telemetry range of 200 km. This is quite satisfactory and presents immense opportunities for integrating these drones into AFN security architectures. They will also be valuable assets for providing air cover in support of ground and maritime operations, enabling troops to manoeuvre with enhanced situational awareness and combat effectiveness." he stressed
The CDS added that the production of fully locally sourced munitions for these drones is another groundbreaking achievement. The availability of adequate ammunition is a defining factor in sustaining military effectiveness and we look forward to seeing these capabilities enhanced. As we celebrate this milestone, I urge you to scale up production capacity to meet operational demands as soon as possible.
He noted that the contemporary security landscape in Nigeria presents a myriad of challenges that necessitate innovative and technologically advanced solutions. The development of these Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles is, therefore, a timely intervention, as the precision and efficiency of drones are critical in gathering intelligence and executing decisive actions against threats.
In an era where security threats are increasingly complex and asymmetric, these force multipliers will play a vital role in enhancing the operational effectiveness of our military.
General Musa stressed that 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.
"It is in this context that the indigenous production of Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles becomes an invaluable strategic asset. By manufacturing these drones locally, Nigeria reduces its dependence on foreign sources, ensures prompt acquisition and strengthens its ability to respond swiftly to security threats.
"The cumbersome bureaucracy that has characterized the procurement of defence equipment, even when urgent needs arise, has been a source of concern. The development of locally made drones significantly mitigates this challenge by providing a seamless, efficient and responsive process that aligns with our operational imperatives. The Armed Forces of Nigeria welcomes this development as it enhances our ability to acquire the much-needed assets without the delays associated with international procurement.
"Another critical advantage of indigenous drone production is cost efficiency. The high cost of procuring drones from international vendors has often been a major constraint in force enhancement efforts. We anticipate that these locally manufactured drones will not only be more affordable but also come with reliable maintenance and training support for our military. This will significantly improve our operational readiness while ensuring long-term sustainability.
“These force multipliers will play a vital role in enhancing the operational effectiveness of our military.
“Particularly in a world where global politics surrounding the procurement of advanced military hardware have become more intricate.
“Countries that do not produce such solutions face bureaucratic bottlenecks and diplomatic hurdles when acquiring these critical platforms. We are facing such challenges directly.
“If you don’t produce what you need, you will be at the mercy of others, even when you have the financial resources to acquire them.
“By manufacturing these drones locally, Nigeria reduces its dependence on foreign resources, ensures prompt acquisition, and strengthens its ability to respond swiftly to security threats
“With the brilliant minds we have, particularly among our youth, we can create outstanding technology that competes globally,” he said.
The Governor of Plateau, Caleb Mutfwang, stressed that Nigeria’s growth depended on recognising and patronising indigenous products.
Mutfwang stated that the drones would play a critical role in protecting national sovereignty both in Plateau and across the nation.
He revealed that some of these locally made technologies had already been deployed to Plateau, significantly improving the efficiency of ground forces.
He also noted that his state was partnering with local bomb and drone manufacturers like Briech UAS to counter insurgency using domestically produced weapons.
“As a nation, we made a mistake by allowing non-state actors to acquire capabilities that nearly rival those of state actors.
“We have entered into a partnership that has enabled the deployment of these facilities in our state.
“We have witnessed significant improvements in the efficiency of our security forces.
“Indeed, it was an error to allow non-state actors to amass capabilities that almost overpower those of legitimate state forces.
“It is time to rectify that imbalance.
“We must ensure that no one within our borders possesses capabilities that match or exceed those entrusted with the constitutional duty of protecting our national sovereignty,” he said.
Earlier, the Chairman of Briech UAS, Dr Bright Echefu, noted that insurgent groups such as Boko Haram and ISWAP had recently adopted commercial drones for reconnaissance and attack missions.
“These drones have been used to track and attack our troops. They are being deployed to coordinate ambushes and execute crude aerial strikes,” he said