UK offers military base, air defence support to strengthen ties with Nigeria

UK offers military base, air defence support to strengthen ties with Nigeria

The United Kingdom has proposed supporting Nigeria with “air defence systems, counter-unmanned aerial systems and enhanced military intelligence capabilities” as part of plans to “deepen its strategic defence partnership with the Nigerian Army.”

British Defence Adviser to Nigeria, Brigadier Tom Harper, on Tuesday during a visit to the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, at Army Headquarters, Abuja | NA

The British Defence Adviser to Nigeria, Brigadier Tom Harper, disclosed this on Tuesday when he visited the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, at Army Headquarters, Abuja.

Harper also highlighted proposed UK support for the “establishment of a reference Forward Operating Base within a cantonment environment and the expansion of tactical Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance capabilities to brigade level.”

The discussions further covered potential transfers of protected mobility vehicles and specialised ammunition support, according to a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele.

The proposed measures form part of the United Kingdom’s continued commitment under the Security and Defence Partnership to strengthening Nigeria’s operational and institutional capacity.

Harper also disclosed plans to “expand regional train-the-trainer programmes covering combat tactical drills, casualty care and advanced patrolling.”

Future Operation HADIN KAI training cohorts are expected to include personnel from Niger, Cameroon and Chad alongside Nigerian troops.

According to the statement, the initiative would promote interoperability and strengthen collective regional capacity against shared security threats.

The Chief of Army Staff said the deepening partnership was critical to “building a more adaptable, combat-ready and resilient force capable of responding effectively to evolving national and regional security threats.”

“The partnership, he noted, remains central to strengthening operational effectiveness, force protection, intelligence capabilities, specialised training and institutional capacity.”

Shaibu identified asymmetric warfare and operations in dense and difficult terrain, particularly in the North-East, as significant operational challenges requiring enhanced intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, technical intelligence, aviation capability and round-the-clock domain awareness down to battalion level.

He also highlighted the expansion of the Nigerian Army from “eight to 12 divisions,” stressing that the growth would require corresponding investments in advanced training, instructor development and Special Forces capabilities, including enhanced capacity at the Doma training facility.

Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, at Army Headquarters, Abuja | NA
The COAS further emphasised sustained engagement with trusted international partners to accelerate the Army’s transformation, particularly in capability development, professional military education, technology integration and the adoption of contemporary approaches to countering asymmetric threats.

He also underscored efforts to institutionalise operational lessons and preserve military heritage through the integration of historic campaigns, such as the Longest Advance, into command curricula and the digitisation of military archives.

The Army said the discussions reflected a broader partnership focused on equipping the Nigerian Army to “anticipate, deter and decisively respond to emerging threats.”

Credit – Punch