Thread by @DefenseNigeria

Surface combatants form the core of the Nigerian Navy. The biggest surface ship in the Nigerian Navy tend to be generally heavier than are armed.

The Nigerian Navy arranges vast fleet of its patrol crafts around its biggest warships to maximize and benefit from the synergy of

complimentary platforms operating in unison. The Navy has in recent times placed a growing emphasis on blue water capabilities and power projection. The only warships with blue water capability in the Navy today are two Frigates: NNS Thunder and NNS Okpabana

and two stealth Corvettes NNS Centenary and NNS Unity inducted in February 2015 and December 2016 respectively.

..What sets them apart from others ships is their hull design. They are the only stealth patrol vessels in Africa, with radar evading capabilities such as the

Type 360 air/surface search radar and TR47 fire-control dual band radars. The main armament is the H/PJ -2 72mm deck gun that features a stealthy turret design that can be used against sea, coastal, and aerial targets, including low flying anti-ship missiles.

others includes HJ-17 30mm automated gun turret mounted on the port and starboard on the aft deck, two 20mm guns. The Chinese offered to arm them with missiles but a " HOLD" clause was signed for future procurement, as it does not fit into the Navy's missions requirement.

This does not provide fraction the capabilities we lost after Seacats, Aspides and Otomat missiles were retired.

These ships will likely serve as escort ships for Nigeria's incoming guided missile Frigate to form a complete Battle Group.

The Navy's ORBAT calls for a capable multi-role warship with the ability to mount independent long range deployment.

With impressive navtronics and sensor, arming them with missiles will make them among the most lethal warships in Africa. Especially in ship to ship combat.

..especially given its stealth hull design. As was demonstrated when Ghanaaian naval officials expressed dismay over the sudden appearance of NNS Unity when it made a stop in Ghana, enroute to execute an ECOWAS mandate with a naval blockade of Gambia in January 2017.

Force multipliers are the navys fleet of maritime patrol platforms. The electro-optical sensors and search radars of the ATR-42 and BIRD’s ASIO (Airborne Surveillance, Intelligence and Observation) of the CJ-3 aircraft provides them with unparalleled situation awareness.