The Nigerian Army, says the application of modern military technologies will counter security challenges bedevilling the country.
The Commander, Corps of Artillery, Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Markus Kangye, said this during the 2024 lecture and study period of Exercise Vulcan Glow X, on Wednesday in Kaduna.
The theme of the lecture is: “Enhancing Artillery support to Nigerian Army Operations Through Employment of Emerging Technologies: The Way Forward,”
The 2024 Exercise Vulcan Glow X tagged: “Integration of Emerging Technologies into Training for Enhanced Fire Support to Nigerian Army Operations in a Joint Environment,” preceeded the corp’s annual field exercise.
Kangye said the exercise is designed to prepare artillery formations and units in the employment of artillery resources in conventional and non-conventional warfare setting as well as other military operations.
“It also prepares them on asymmetric warfare concept because our current security environment in Nigeria is complex due to various security threats.
“Looking at the threats facing us, some of them use modern technologies to perpetrate their acts of evil.
“To contain such threats, there is the need for the Nigerian Army and its corp of artillery to train in order to use emerging technologies to counter them,” he said.
According to Kangye, the exercise starts from preparation, coordination, marrying-up, reorganisation and the artillery maneuver – the tactical phase.
“After the tactical phase, the troops will be tested on administration on the field, where how they setup their administrative areas will be seen to determine wether what they were taught in class is practiced in the field.
“The whole excercise will culminate into a firepower demonstration,” Kangye said.
Also, Brig.-Gen. Lanre Bello (rtd), said the Nigerian Army Corps Artillery (NACA) was know for training in view of the nature of its operstion to avoid mistakes.
He stressed that mistakes must be avoided at all cost because of the corps supports the manoeuvring of arms, therefore, it must be technically good to provide effective support during operations.
Bello said the lecture examined emerging technologies in a globally competitive and changing environment.
“New equipments are emerging, the Nigerian Army Corp of Artillery and the Nigerian Army can not be left behind.
“Therefore, we are now looking at how we can fit into the emerging technologies so as to be able to defend Nigerians effectively,” he said.
According to him, there are arrays of combinations in which the NACA could use in performance during operations.
He listed some of the combinations to include modern unmanned aerial vehicles, drones, among others.
He also recommended for the establishment of an advanced fire support simulation centre for immersive training of NACA personnel on emerging technologies for enhanced fire support in NA operations.
“They should prioritise the acquisition of long range artillery weapon systems with range between 50 – 120 km, to facilitate the engagement of targets in isolated and difficult terrains.
“They should also implement the conduct of cyber security training programmes and conduct awareness campaign on emerging technologies for NACA personnel.
“Also establish a target acquisition regiment with drones capable of roaming the battlefield at high altitudes, covering long distances with night capabilities,” he said.
He further advised the corps to explore a long-term collaboration with STARLINK internet company to provide reliable and flexible internet access to enhance NACA fire support during operations. (NAN)
