Swiftship, a prominent military manufacturing company based in the United States, has generously contributed to Nigeria’s defense capabilities by gifting two cutting-edge unmanned water vessels, identified as the S2 and S3 Swift Sea Stalkers.
This benevolent gesture took place during a recent visit by the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, to the United States. The minister had undertaken the visit to inspect the facilities of advanced military hardware manufacturing companies in the country.
In an official statement released on Friday by the Ministry’s Director of Press, Henshaw Ogubike, it was disclosed that the unmanned vessels were presented to President Bola Tinubu to bolster efforts in safeguarding the nation’s maritime environment and other strategic areas.
The Minister highlighted that these state-of-the-art vessels would be deployed in crucial regions, including the Niger Delta, Lake Chad, and other maritime zones, aiming to fortify security measures.
The statement detailed Matawalle’s visit to various high-tech military companies during his stay in the United States, including NEANY, Swift Ships, and OCR Global. The Minister expressed the intent to promote innovative technologies to enhance the efficiency of the Nigerian military in addressing contemporary security challenges.
Matawalle emphasized the significance of fostering partnerships with U.S. companies for local production of military hardware in collaboration with the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria. This collaborative effort, according to the Minister, aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s agenda of achieving peace and security in the nation.
During his inspection in the U.S., Matawalle observed facilities such as a rapid deployment mobile RADAR system, an unmanned water vehicle, a drone ground control station, and a compact biometric search-scan system. The Minister assured President Tinubu that these advanced military and intelligence capabilities would significantly contribute to the ongoing fight against insecurity in Nigeria.
It is noteworthy that Swiftships, established in 1942, has gained global recognition for providing innovative solutions in shipbuilding, testing, and delivery services. The company’s commitment to end-to-end support, coupled with hands-on training, has solidified its reputation in the world market.
This donation comes in the wake of the United States’ previous assistance to Nigeria’s security forces in March 2022, where five mobile detection system vans and other equipment valued at $2 million were donated to the Nigeria Police Force Explosive Ordinance Disposal. The equipment, presented in Lagos, underscored the collaborative efforts between the two nations in addressing security challenges.
