•Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu
The Nigerian Army is taking significant steps toward modernising its operational capabilities through the planned integration of drone warfare and combat aviation into its training and field operations.
The development was highlighted by the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, during the Nigerian Army Combat Arms Training Week held in Jaji, Kaduna State, reports Sunday Guardian.
The initiative reflects the changing dynamics of modern warfare, where intelligence gathering, surveillance, precision strikes, and rapid response capabilities are increasingly central to counter-terrorism and internal security operations.
According to a broadcast on AIT News, the training week provided a platform for operational review, innovation, and professional engagement aimed at enhancing combat readiness across the Nigerian Army.
Speaking during the event, Lieutenant General Shaibu said the exercise had strengthened synergy among troops and reinforced the Army’s commitment to innovation, training, and preparedness in addressing evolving security threats.
He stressed the need to institutionalise drone training across all army formations, noting that modern warfare has become highly complex and technology-driven.
“To prepare our soldiers for future conflicts, we must institutionalize the varied training across all relevant levels and ensure our personnel are proficient in every deployment and the countermeasures of these systems,” he said.
The Army Chief further emphasised the importance of expanding combat aviation capabilities, noting that effective coordination between infantry units, artillery, and aviation assets would significantly improve operational flexibility and battlefield efficiency.
“Accordingly, we shall take deliberate steps to amend the Nigerian Army order of battle for 2023 to reflect this development and ensure its full integration into our force structure,” he added.
The Nigerian Army said insights gained from the training week would be used to refine operational strategies and strengthen ongoing counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations across the country.
