Nigerian Army Boosts Combat Readiness with New Drone Acquisitions

The Nigerian Army has acquired additional protracted TP-2 drones and reconfigured its aviation assets for combat operations as part of efforts to enhance operational effectiveness against emerging security threats across the country. The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, disclosed this at the close of the 2026 COAS conference on Wednesday, where senior military officers reviewed ongoing operations, training, and the country’s evolving security environment. According to him, the investment in modern combat capabilities was aimed at strengthening surveillance, target acquisition, precision strikes, and casualty evacuation during military operations. He said, “Our investments in modern capabilities, such as the acquisition of additional protracted TP-2 drones and the configuration of the Nigerian Army aviation for combat purposes, are timely and strategic. “These force multipliers have significantly enhanced our surveillance, target acquisition, precision strikes, and casualty evacuation capabilities,” he said. The Army Chief noted that the changing nature of contemporary security threats required the Nigerian Army to remain proactive, adaptive, and innovative in its operations. He also said the conference featured critical reviews of intelligence, operations, logistics, administration, and institutional reforms aimed at transforming the army into a more combat-ready and technologically driven force. • How Obasanjo defied my orders to serve under Murtala during civil war — Gowon • Seven soldiers, civilian feared killed in Lakurawa Sokoto ambush • Army’s new formations boost rapid threat response – COAS Shuaibu reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to prioritising the welfare of officers and soldiers, stressing that improved living conditions and timely welfare packages are critical to enhancing combat readiness and operational effectiveness. “As earlier shown in the clip presented by my Chief of Staff, there are several direct intervention projects currently ongoing across the Nigerian Army for a more conducive working and living conditions critical to strengthening the army’s combat readiness. These intervention efforts were made with the realisation that a well-motivated soldier operating in a conducive environment will undoubtedly demonstrate higher morale, loyalty, and effectiveness. “The discussion on welfare programmes such as timely payment of entitlements, improved health care services, educational support, and enhanced welfare package will significantly contribute to the overall combat effectiveness of our troops. We must therefore continue to prioritise the well-being of our personnel and their families,” he said. Shuaibu further highlighted progress in recruit training, advanced military education, and leadership development, stressing that professionalism, discipline, and meritocracy remained central to strengthening the institution. He charged commanders at all levels to implement decisions reached during the conference, noting that the true value of the deliberations would be reflected in measurable outcomes across formations. The Nigerian Army directly purchased its first set of tactical unmanned aerial vehicles in 2022 when it acquired a fleet of American-made Aerosonde Mk 4.7 drones for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance operations. Operational flights for these systems officially began on October 11, 2022. Following this, the Army has continued to expand its aerial fleet, including the procurement of 43 Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2 combat drones in December 2024 to tackle insurgency in the Northwest.