Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Isiaka Oladayo Amao, has assured the Defence Space Administration of the support from the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) at all times to enable the agency meet its operational responsibility.
Air Marshal Amao told the newly appointed Chief of Defence Space Administration (CDSA), Rear Admiral Nnamdi Muogilim who paid a courtesy call on him on Wednesday that the NAF and the Defence Space Administration “can do a lot together in terms of information sharing and capacity building to enhance national security since both are geared towards achieving same objectives.
Commending Admiral Muogilim on his “well-deserved appointment,” the Chief of the Air Staff said he was looking forward to the launching satellites and rockets into space by DSA.
In addition, he commended DSA’s efforts towards introducing Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) into its operations but stated that the NAF had already developed the capacity and manpower for the UAV operations.
He said that very soon, the Air Force would have a total of 11 UAVs to combat insurgency, terrorism and armed banditry.
However, he assured the CDSA of the support of the Nigerian Air Force on the operations of the proposed UAVs considering the manpower needed to man and monitor the facility in order to derive maximum results.
Responding, Rear Admiral Muogilim, while thanking the Chief of Air Staff for his mentorship and tutelage, gave a historical background on the establishment of DSA and its mandate, adding that the purpose of establishing the agency was not just centred on space but providing centric network system to support the Armed Forces of Nigeria with real-time pictures of operation theatres.
Subsequently, he said, the DSA has been experimenting on launching of rockets into space and the design of satellites.
Stating that a lot has been achieved in these areas, Admiral Muogilim further noted that DSA has great plans for the future and would surely improve to a Centre of Excellence in space and cyber related operations.
The CDSA also promised to ensure information sharing through production and provision of accurate and high resolution satellite imageries on maps, noting that such satellite imageries besides being interpreted can be more useful when it’s real-time imageries which can contribute immensely to the analysis of Armed Forces of Nigeria operations.
He reiterated the need to act ahead of the insurgents who are highly mobile and operating in a very vast area to prevent events overtaking the troops in the field.
Rear Admiral Muogilim also laid emphasis on the importance of super-imposing satellite imageries on maritime charts which can be of great assistance to the Nigerian Navy in conducting maritime security operations considering the fact that the creeks are not well chattered.