The Nigerian Army has pledged to escalate partnership with the Defence Research and Development Bureau (DRDB) and Defence Space Administration (DSA) to enhance its operations.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja made the pledge when he met separately with the Director-General of DRDB, Maj.-Gen. Emmanuel Ndagi and the Chief of DSA, AVM Abdullahi Shinkafi on Thursday in Abuja.
Lagbaja, in a statement by the Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, particularly said that the partnership with DSA would ensure that the Army maintains formidable presence in the cyber space.
The COAS appreciated the DSA’s space and cyber support to the army and other services, saying that space and cyber domains were significant in modern warfare.
According to him, it is paramount for the army to develop the requisite competencies to defend itself against any cyber threat and attack.
He therefore assured the DSA of continuous collaboration, adding that DSA products would be extended to all formations and units to enhance the conduct of land operations.
The COAS also acknowledged the enormous work being done by the defence bureau in coordinating research and development efforts of the Nigerian military.
He said the army would tap the research outcomes of the bureau in countering Improvised Explosive Devices (IED), to save the lives of personnel and civilians, as well as military equipments.
Lagbaja said that enhancing operational efficiency of troops was crucial to meeting the constitutional responsibilities of the army of defending the territorial integrity of Nigeria.
He said that the partnership would provide the requisite platforms for the army to leverage cutting-edge technologies, strategies and practices to enhance its operations.
In his remarks, Ndagi said the visit was aimed at strengthening the collaboration between the bureau and the army.
He said that the mandate of the bureau was to coordinate research and development activities of the armed forces, with emphasis on developing indigenous technological capacity for the military.
On his part, AVM Shinkafi commended the army for its support to the DSA in the areas of infrastructure and cyber warfare.
Source: News Agency of Nigeria