BY MUSA IDRIS UMAR, JULY 26, 2025 | 02:57 PM
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has commenced a specialized training programme for its personnel on the 612A Anti-UAV Radar System.
The training was inaugurated on Saturday at the Headquarters of the Air Component, Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), in Maiduguri, Borno State.
The programme is tailored to equip selected NAF personnel with the technical expertise required to detect, track, and neutralize hostile Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), particularly in asymmetrical conflict environments like the Northeast.
Speaking during the inauguration, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, emphasized the significance of the training, describing it as a critical step in adapting to emerging threats in modern warfare.
'The importance of mastering both the theoretical and practical aspects of this training cannot be overstated,' he said.
'The NAF expects nothing less than excellence as you embark on this mission-critical assignment.'
Air Component Commander of OPHK, Air Commodore UU Idris, echoed similar sentiments, stating that the initiative was timely and strategic.
He highlighted the increasing use of improvised drones by adversaries as a growing threat to both air and ground operations. 'The threats posed by hostile and improvised drone systems have challenged conventional security strategies,' he said.
'This specialized training will significantly enhance our situational awareness and defensive capabilities.'
The training is part of broader efforts by the Nigerian Air Force to modernize its operations, enhance air superiority, and ensure national security in an evolving threat landscape.