Thread by @DefenseNigeria

The most feared armed attack drone in the world - the American MQ-9 Reaper. We have these drones in Cameroon, Niger and Chad. Theyve been deployed since 2016. Such a shame they are not employed against Boko Haram/ISWAP. In less than a month Nigeria will have similar capability

The Nigerian military's force modernizaton program included the decision never to send troops into combat without an effective armed overwatch capability. The goal is to provide troops with a dedicated platform capable of conducting close air support, precision strike and ISR

Quick background on factors that necessitated this pivot.

It’s no secret that the military services fight hard to protect their shares of the defense budget. However this rivalry was unhealthy. For years the army and airforce struggled with the issue of close air support.

Controversies relating to close air support was rife. The persistence and intensity of the protracted dispute over close air support revealed the intensity that both service attached to the function. The army complained the air force was derelict in providing close air support

..for troops, leading to massive casualties. The airforce complained it lacked adequate platforms to provide credible CAS on demand and requested for an Independent air wing, a Nigerian Army aviation Corp. The Air Force vetoed that proposition, insisting the army

..lacked the skill, training and ground infrastructure necessary to venture into the air domain, stating the NAF is a technically intensive service requiring years of training and organization. All effort to resolve the close air support issue definitely was unavailing.

The issue for the NAF was control of aviation resources. The army complained the NAF was bleeding resources building its own parallel army rather than focusing on air power. The army maintained a strong preference for close air support planes integrated with ground units.

..and under the control of ground commanders. To cut the long story short, the NAF won the argument. The High Command requested funding for a dedicated COIN aircraft, a plane dedicated solely to provide CAS for Nigerian troops.

Months went by as Nigeria's Senate and House of Reps members deliberated on it. Irritated by the delays and political posturing the President took $500 million from the Excess Crude Account to pay for the Super Tucano COIN aircraft, sending lawmakers into a frenzy of rage.

Nigerian lawmakers accused President Buhari of withdrawing $500 million from the Excess Crude Account to purchase 12 Tucano fighter jets from the U.S. without consulting the National Assembly. At the point Mr President couldn't care less. He has been patient enough.

Angered by the perceived snub, both chambers of the national assembly summoned the Minister of Finance, Defence Minister, Central Bank Governor and Accountant General of the Federation....for the usual "screaming" and dramatic melodrama.

So,..the aircraft that is ultimately selected should be as highly specialized and uniquely capable as the operators it is watching over. The options discussed for contenders included manned aircraft with range and endurance that are optimized for Close Air Support missions.

The military eventually settled for the A-29 Super Tucano. It was willing to part with $580 million on 12 A-29 Super Tucanos armed with some of the most sophisticated precision guided munitions in the world.

Now in my humble opinion, the delay, melodrama and uncertainty over the Super Tucano eventually led the NAF to begin searching for an alternative. Negotiations for drones began 2018. By June 2021 the drones will be in Nigeria,....before the Super Tucanos.

Contrast that with the FOUR YEARS Nigeria has been anticipating the arrival of the A-29s. Between 2019 and now Nigeria has taken delivery of VT-4 Tanks, ST-1 Light Tanks, SH105 Self Propelled Howitzers, JF-17 fighters and in a month CH-4 and Wing Loong II UCAVS. All brand new.

Armed attack drones strikes fear into the hearts of terrorists because it is always there, always watching, and always ready. It is the Nigerian army's armed overwatch platform of choice.

The Wing Loong II, CH-4 and CH-3B UCAVS are tailor made for CAS Armed Overwatch role. Because it is a remotely piloted aircraft, there’s no need to risk the lives of pilots by putting them in harm’s way above operations that can shift from low to high intensity in an instant.

Special operations forces working with troops on the ground need dedicated support from above. Eyes helping them see what’s over the ridge or around the corner connectivity so they can remain in touch, and the ability to quickly and precisely place ordnance on target.

Need endurance? No problem. These drones can remain airborne for 20 hours in all weather conditions. They are also a force multiplier asset for the military which suffers from a lack of adequate ISR assets. Medium altitude, long endurance drones such

the Wing Loong and CH-4 can integrate into broader battle networks like ISR aircafts and return motion video, sensor data and other insights to ground commanders or other units instantly, while simultaneously providing tactical overwatch for our forces and, if necessary,

kinetic effects for troops in action. It is, by very definition, a force multiplier. Because they fly at medium altitude, they operate above the range limits of manportable air defence missiles (MANPADs).

However If greater fire power is required for troops in contact, the weapon of choice after the drones should be the JF-17 Multi-role fighter, with its payload and endurance, not a vulnerable, limited capacity, manned close air support aircraft.