The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Olufemi Oluyede, has directed the Defence Space Administration (DSA) to lengthen its “space-based” intelligence and surveillance help to ongoing navy operations within the North-west and North-central theatres.
The spokesperson for the DSA, Funmilayo Bamisaye, disclosed this in an announcement on Sunday, noting that the directive, given on Friday throughout the DSA’s twelfth anniversary in Abuja, was geared toward enhancing operational effectiveness and troops’ situational consciousness.
Mr Oluyede mentioned the aerial help is already aiding troops of Operation Hadin Kai, a joint activity drive within the North-east. Its extension is anticipated to bolster joint forces of Operation Fansan Yamma within the North-west and Operation Savannah Shield within the North-central.
“As we speak now, they are supporting Operation Hadin Kai, and I have given instructions that they should extend that to Operation Fansan Yamma in the North-West and Operation Savannah Shield in the North-Central,” Mr Oluyede, a Nigerian Army common, was quoted as saying.
The defence chief counseled the navy company for its “contributions to military operations through space-based intelligence, surveillance and communications capabilities.”
Mr Oluyede additionally urged the DSA to prioritise indigenous analysis, technological innovation and human capital improvement. He additionally known as for stronger collaboration with tutorial establishments, industries and related nationwide companies to develop resilient house capabilities.
According to the defence chief, techniques have to be developed, field-tested and refined to meet operational necessities whereas remaining suitable with current navy constructions and gear.
Mr Oluyede lauded the DSA’s strides, together with the launch of DELSAT-1, Nigeria’s navy satellite tv for pc launched in 2022, the Special Intelligence Infrastructure, an enabling framework for DELSAT-1, and the Modular Earth Observation Outpost station on the headquarters of Operation Hadin Kai.
He mentioned these initiatives had strengthened Nigeria’s defence house structure and introduced specialised intelligence help nearer to operational commanders.
Mr Oluyede additionally welcomed the graduation of tutorial actions on the Defence Space School in Delta State, describing indigenous experience and technological improvement as important to strengthening Nigeria’s capability to harness house for nationwide safety and improvement.
The DSA boss, Philip Ilodibia, corroborated the defence chief, saying fashionable warfare more and more depends upon well timed intelligence, situational consciousness, safe communications and efficient coordination throughout a number of operational domains.
Mr Ilodibia, a serious common, famous that DSA has progressively developed capabilities to help the operational necessities of the Armed Forces and different safety companies since its institution in 2014.
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He mentioned the DSA’s success ought to be measured by the operational challenges it resolved, the selections it enabled and the strategic benefits it delivered.
The DSA boss known as for stronger synergy among the many Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy and Nigerian Air Force, stressing that space-enabled intelligence, surveillance, communications and geospatial capabilities may enhance joint situational consciousness, interoperability and operational effectiveness.
He additionally advocated sustained collaboration between the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) and the Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NigComSat) to strengthen indigenous house capabilities.
Gabriel Olonisakin, a former CDS beneath late President Muhammadu Buhari, welcomed Nigeria’s plan to strengthen space-based intelligence. However, he famous that it requires sustained funding.
Mr Olonisakin, a retired common, referenced the Russia-Ukraine conflict, highlighting the rising position of house know-how in fashionable conflicts, notably cyberattacks on satellite tv for pc communications infrastructure and the use of satellite tv for pc imagery to monitor troop actions.
He urged the DSA to leverage strategic partnerships to develop sovereign house capabilities and strengthen nationwide safety.
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