The Nigerian Navy integrated the AYBARS-2 unmanned aerial vehicle into its fleet in January 2026, strengthening surveillance capabilities across the country’s territorial waters.
Manufactured by BMS Defence Technologies Inc. in Turkey, the drones were delivered and declared operational in early January. They are now actively deployed in the Gulf of Guinea, providing persistent aerial coverage in support of maritime security operations.
The acquisition follows years of expanding defence cooperation between Nigeria and Turkey. Engagements date back to August 2021 when Turkish Ambassador Hidayet Bayraktar met with Nigerian military leadership to explore counter-terrorism collaboration. By 2022, discussions had progressed into formal procurement agreements including rotary-wing platforms and ground systems. The introduction of the AYBARS-2 addresses a critical requirement for long-endurance monitoring of offshore oil infrastructure.
The AYBARS-2 is a tactical fixed-wing UAV with Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) capability, enabling operations from confined ship decks or unprepared coastal locations without the need for a runway. It utilises electric motors for vertical lift and transitions to a gasoline-powered internal combustion engine for forward flight.
With a wingspan of 3.9 metres and a length of 2.26 metres, the platform has a maximum take-off weight of 35 kg. Despite its compact size, it carries an advanced sensor suite including day and night cameras, allowing continuous 24-hour surveillance, an essential capability for detecting and tracking illicit maritime activity.
