Nigeria is backing a homegrown defence technology firm as the military adopts autonomous systems to combat insurgency and improve battlefield efficiency.
Nigerian defense technology startup Terra Industries on Monday unveiled new autonomous defense systems, including interceptor drones, mine-detection vehicles and battlefield intelligence software at a demonstration attended by senior military officials and government representatives.
The launch marks a shift in the company’s focus from commercial infrastructure security to direct military applications with the Nigerian armed forces.
Nathan Nwachuku, a co-founder of Terra Industries, described the significance of the unveiling.
“Today, we are unveiling new defense systems such as our interceptor UAVs, our minesweepers, ground vehicles that can detect IEDs on the ground, and our battlefield intelligence software that will be able to automate the military planning and coordination process,” he said.
“But beyond that, today is also the day that we showed just our readiness for battlefield operation and actual forward deployments onto the front lines.”
Terra Industries signed a joint venture agreement with Nigeria’s state-run Defence Industries Corporation (DICON) in February.
Babatunde Ayala, the Director General of DICON, said the collaboration is necessary.
“There is no other company that is bringing this on board for our troops in the field to use for real life problems — the challenges that we are having,” he said.
“For example, problems with improvised explosive devices that we are having in the Northeast, now in the North West. The highest casualty we are sustaining is through improvised explosive devices. The solutions we are going to unveil today will be very useful to our troops.”
Terra Industries currently protects infrastructure assets worth around $11 billion across Africa.
The startup’s shift toward military applications comes as Nigeria’s armed forces continue to battle multiple security threats, including a long-running insurgency in the North-East, banditry and kidnapping in the North-West, and communal violence across the Middle Belt.
The partnership with DICON signals a growing emphasis on local defense manufacturing and technology development, reducing reliance on foreign equipment.
Sources: Reuters
