Nigeria to get night vision equipment, anti-drone in €20m EU support
By Lengnan Tobias
The European Union has has revealed that its 20 million euros facility for Nigeria would fund Counter-Improvised Explosive Device (C-IED) equipment, Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS), night vision capabilities and individual protective gear for deployed troops.
This was revealed during strategic talks between the Minister of Defence, retired Gen. Christopher Musa and a delegation of European Union (EU) on Friday.
The talks centred on finalising delivery modalities for the 20 million euros defence support package granted to Nigeria under the European Peace Facility (EPF), Special Assistant to the Minister on Media, Leah Katung-Babatunde said in a statement on Friday.
Katung-Babatunde said the package was the EU’s first-ever bilateral defence package for Nigeria.
Receiving the European External Action Service (EEAS) delegation led by Ms Claire Gaudin, Musa reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to building indigenous defence capacities toward self-sufficiency.
He welcomed the bilateral assistance sealed in October, noting that it would significantly bolster the operational capabilities of the Armed Forces of Nigeria in ongoing counter-terrorism efforts, particularly within the Lake Chad Basin.
The minister urged the EU to leverage the momentum of the recently concluded Africa Defence Exhibition (AFRIDEX) to establish local defence production lines in Nigeria.
He also emphasised Nigeria’s resolve to track and dismantle terrorists financing networks globally, regardless of where they operate.
He noted that the current EPF tranche focuses on non-lethal supplies comprising equipment, technical training and maintenance.
He however Musa expressed optimism that critical areas such as military medical support and advanced surveillance would be incorporated into subsequent phases.
Gaudin said the 20 million euros facility would fund were jointly agreed upon with the leadership of the armed forces of Nigeria following extensive bilateral consultations.
Gaudin added that Nigeria joins over 20 African nations among the 30 global beneficiaries of the EPF, with the support complementing broader regional stabilisation efforts under the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF).
The European Peace Facility, established by the 27 EU member states in March 2021 for the 2021–2027 financial cycle, is an off-budget financial instrument designed to enhance the capacity of partner armed forces worldwide.
It is to prevent conflict, build peace and strengthen international security.
(NAN)