Swiftship donates two Hi-Tech unmanned water vessels to boost Nigeria’s Maritime Security

In a significant move to enhance Nigeria’s maritime security, Swiftship, a renowned US military manufacturing company, has generously contributed two cutting-edge unmanned water vessels to the Nigerian government. 

The S2 and S3 Swift Sea Stalkers were presented during a recent visit by Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle.

During the visit, Minister Matawalle was said to have inspected high-tech military-producing hardware companies in the USA, aiming to explore innovative technologies to address contemporary security challenges. 

In a statement signed by the Director of Press, Henshaw Ogubike, the ministry said the donation was officially handed over at a ceremony in Abuja, where the Minister presented the unmanned vessels to President Bola Tinubu.

The ministry highlighted the strategic importance of these hi-tech vessels in safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime environment and other vulnerable regions.

The equipment is slated for deployment in critical areas such as the Niger Delta, Lake Chad region, and other maritime zones.

Matawalle emphasised the significance of the newfound partnership with Swiftship, stating that it aligns with President Tinubu’s agenda of promoting peace and security in Nigeria. 

He shared insights from his US tour, which included inspections of facilities like a rapid deployment mobile RADAR system, an unmanned water vehicle, a drone ground control station, and a compact biometric search-scan system.

Furthermore, the Minister expressed his vision for fostering collaborations with US companies to locally produce military hardware in Nigeria, in cooperation with the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria. 

According to the Minister, this will bolster the nation’s military capabilities and contribute to addressing insecurity challenges.

Swiftships, with a legacy dating back to 1942, is recognized globally for delivering end-to-end shipbuilding solutions and providing hands-on training and life cycle sustainment support for new vessels. 

The company’s commitment to innovative and effective solutions echoes its latest contribution to Nigeria’s maritime security.

The statement: “The Minister of State for Defence presented two hi-tech unmanned water vessels to President Bola Tinubu in the Villa to help fight against insecurity on our waterways in particular and the nation in general. The two unmanned ships were donated by Swift Ship Company in the USA to the Nigerian government.

“Presenting the two versions of the equipment, the S2 and S3 Swift Sea Stalkers, he said that the hi-tech equipment is the latest technology that would be deployed in fighting insecurity in the Niger Delta, Lake Chad region, and other maritime regions of the country.

“It could be recalled that the Minister recently had a working visit to the USA and inspected NEANY, Swift Ships, and OCR Global, a hi-tech military hardware company in the US.

“Furthermore, the minister said that this is the result of his working visit to some companies in the USA.

“Matawalle told the President that the tour aimed to promote innovative technologies that would enhance the Nigerian military’s efficiency in addressing contemporary security challenges.

“In addition, the minister said that the idea was to encourage partnerships with US companies in the production of military hardware locally in Nigeria in collaboration with the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria.

“Matawalle said that the newfound partnership would allow Nigeria to learn the innovative ways of military hardware production, which is in line with President Bola Tinubu’s agenda of bringing peace and security to our dear nation.

“The minister further briefed Mr President that part of the facilities he inspected while in the US included a rapid deployment mobile RADAR system, an unmanned water vehicle, a drone ground control station, and a compact biometric search-scan system, among others.

“He reassured the president that the cutting-edge military and intelligence hardware capabilities presented would go a long way in the fight against insecurity in Nigeria.”

This development follows a trend of international cooperation in enhancing Nigeria’s security apparatus. 

It would be recalled that in March 2022, the United States donated mobile detection system vans and equipment worth $2 million to the Nigeria Police Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal, showcasing a commitment to strengthening security partnerships between the two nations.