NAF Commences Specialized Training on Anti-UAV Radar System in Maiduguri
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has commenced specialized training for a new set of personnel on the 612A Anti-UAV Radar System, as part of its efforts to strengthen counter-drone operations in the North-East.
The inauguration of the training programme took place on Saturday at the Headquarters of the Air Component, Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), in Maiduguri, Borno State.
The training is aimed at equipping selected NAF personnel with technical and operational knowledge to detect, track and neutralise hostile Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), particularly in asymmetrical conflict zones.
Speaking at the event, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, said the programme was in line with the NAF’s renewed focus on technology-driven operations and capacity building.
“The importance of mastering both the theoretical and practical aspects of this training cannot be overstated,” he said. “The NAF expects nothing less than excellence as you embark on this mission-critical training to enhance our operational effectiveness.”
In his remarks, the Air Component Commander OPHK, Air Commodore UU Idris, described the initiative as timely and strategic, given the increasing use of improvised drones by terrorists and criminal elements in the region.
“The threats posed by hostile and improvised drone systems have challenged conventional air and ground security strategies,” he said. “This specialised training will significantly enhance our situational awareness and defensive capabilities.”
He noted that the radar system training was another milestone in the NAF’s commitment to maintaining air superiority and securing Nigeria’s territorial integrity.
The 612A Anti-UAV Radar System is designed to provide early warning and precise tracking of low, slow, and small aerial threats—making it a critical asset in the evolving battlefield.
