The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has achieved another milestone in its drive for technological advancement and enhanced airspace protection with the graduation of personnel trained to operate the Anti-Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Radar System.
The ceremony, held on 17 October 2025 at the Headquarters Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) in Maiduguri, Borno State, underscored the Service’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s air defence architecture against emerging aerial threats.
Representing the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, the Chief of Communication and Information Systems (CCIS), Air Vice Marshal Suleiman Kabir Usman, described the event as a strategic step in fortifying the nation’s air defence network. He noted that it comes at a time when drone technology continues to reshape both global and national security dynamics.
AVM Usman highlighted that asymmetric warfare has evolved beyond conventional tactics, with adversaries increasingly employing advanced technologies such as drones for surveillance and offensive missions. He reaffirmed the NAF’s superior capacity and preparedness, driven by continuous training, innovation, and investment in cutting-edge defence systems.
He also cited several initiatives propelling the Service’s modernisation efforts — including the Military Total Radar Coverage of Nigeria (MTRACON) project, the establishment of the Directorate of Cybersecurity, and ongoing programmes in surveillance and spectrum monitoring. These, he said, are designed to keep the NAF adaptive and technologically dominant in modern warfare.
In his remarks, the Air Component Commander, OPHK, Air Commodore UU Idris, commended the graduands for their professionalism and urged them to apply their new skills with vigilance and integrity in protecting national airspace. He described the Anti-UAV Radar as an advanced system capable of detecting low, slow, and small aerial targets often missed by conventional radars.
The CAS, through his representative, praised both the instructors and graduands for their dedication and expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his continued support to the Nigerian Air Force. He reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to innovation, human capacity development, and technological advancement in line with his command philosophy — “to transform the Nigerian Air Force into an agile and resilient force capable of effectively meeting the airpower demands of national security in all operational environments.”
