The Nigerian Navy has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Dearsan Shipyard in Turkey for the refit/refurbishment/remodeling of the Nation’s Flagship Nigerian Navy Ship ARADU (F89).
NNS ARADU, a 125.6m long MEKO 360HI general purpose frigate, was laid down at the German Blohm + Voss shipyard in Hamburg on December 1, 1978, and launched on January 25, 1980. It replaced the smaller, older frigate, NNS Obuma.
At her prime, NNS ARADU was armed with wide range of armaments, including anti-ship and anti-air missiles, anti-submarine torpedoes and rockets, as well as powerful naval guns.
Then, it spearheaded Africa’s most powerful fleet, comprising of NNS Obuma, four corvettes of the Dorina and Erin’mi classes and six missile boats – three Ekpe class of German design and three Siri class of French design. In addition to these vessels, there was a capable force of minesweepers, seaward defence boats and patrol craft.
At that time, NNS ARADU was one of the most capable dual-purpose guns in the world and its anti-aircraft guns was so devastating it could destroy a supersonic cruise missile at up to three kilometers. And in case of a squabble with enemy ships, the NNS ARADU was armed with eight Otomat Mk 1 anti-ship missiles.
Its other equipment and weapons includes a 6 x 324 mm torpedoes and a depth charge rack for anti-submarine warfare. Also, an ECM suite is fitted, with a Decca RDL-2 ESM system, and two chaff mortars.
In addition, a Lynx helicopter was usually carried onboard the ship during operations.
In her prime, NNS ARADU undertook extensive diplomatic visits to countries like Gabon, Congo, Zaire, Equatorial Guinea and numerous European countries. She has also participated in joint exercises with visiting ships of the German, Indian, French and the Brazilian Navies.
In 2005, NNS ARADU brought glory to Nigeria when it participated in the commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar by sailing to Great Britain. It also took part in “Operation Seadog” in 1985, “Operation Odion” in 1987.
NNS ARADU was firmly on duty during the ECOWAS Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) military intervention in Liberia, showing its dominance and that of Nigeria as it patrolled the Liberian waters, showing the national flag.
But today, the flagship is a shadow of its former glory as it sits at Naval Dockyard, Victoria Island, Lagos. It has undergone a refit at the Dockyard before. But it cannot be deployed easily for maritime operations now as before.
The refit/refurbishing/remodeling shows that the Navy has jettisoned the procurement a new frigate to replace NNS ARADU.
During the Nigerian Navy two-day retreat that ended on April 20, 2021, the procurement of a new frigate was the top hot topic.
The retreat, attended by Chief of the Naval Staff (Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo), Principal Staff Officers at NHQ, Flag Officers Commanding (FOCs), Commanders of operations bases and units, ships and establishments, made a pitch that “NHQ (Naval Headquarters) is to lobby the Grand Strategic Level of Command for the procurement of a new frigate to serve as Flagship to replace the Nigerian Navy Ship ARADU and improve NN Order of Battle.”
In his address at the signing of the MOU at Naval Headquarters Abuja, the Chief of Naval Staff(CNS), Vice Admiral Auwal Gambo, while noting that NNS ARADU is the only variant of the five MEKO 360 Frigates built in Germany for Argentine and Nigerian Navies, said wear and tear associated with sustained use as well as the harsh operating environment has taken its toll on the edifice.
He said said the MoU was signed to refit the ship aimed at enhancing Navy’s capability for enhanced security patrol within Nigeria’s maritime domain.
The CNS said: “With the support of the Federal Government of Nigeria through the unrelenting efforts of the standing Senate Committee on rehabilitation of NNS ARADU, we are gathered here today to commence modalities to rerole and modernise the nation’s flagship.
“Another significance of today’s event is the landmark agreement for the supply of additional 57-meters Fast Attack Craft to support the remodelled Flag Ship.
“Undoubtedly, operationalisation of these two vessels will not only increase the fleet of ships but also reposition the Nigerian navy for enhanced maritime security operations for socio-economic prosperity of Nigeria and Africa at large,”.
Gambo, said that the choice of partnering with Messrs Dearsan Shipyard was based on the company’s track record in high-quality ship building capability as well as strict adherence to agreed timelines.
According to him, the firms was currently constructing two High Endurance 76 meters Offshore Patrol Vessels for the navy in Turkey.
He said a major consideration is the fact that several equipment, auxiliaries and subsystems being used in the construction of the offshore patrol vessels would be fitted onboard NNS ARADU.
This, according to him, is to further enhance operability and equipment standardisation, which undoubtedly would guarantee seamless maintenance necessary to extend the life span of the remodeled flag ship.
He said the MoU would re-ignite the partnership between both organisations in promoting synergy towards enhancing security as well as fostering operations and shipbuilding engagements that would enhance capability for the sustainable development of the Blue Economy for Nigeria’s prosperity.
Gambo appreciated the sustained efforts and support from the federal government, saying it had been instrumental to successes recorded by the Nigerian navy.
The Navy chief expressed confidence that the shipyard would actualise a high-quality result and deliver both vessels on schedule.
He implored both parties to be committed towards attainment of the objectives.
Also speaking, Managing Director, Dearsan Shipyard Turkey, Mr Mukat Gordi, while commending the Nigerian navy for the opportunity to take responsibility as the prime contractor of NNS ARADU modernisation program, said the relationship between the navy and the company had started following the signing ceremony of 76m offshore patrol vessels in December 2021.
He said the 76m OPVS programme had progressed as planned, adding that they aimed to launch the OPVS by the end of the year and deliver the vessels earlier than the contractual dates.
“Since we are aware the historical importance of NNS ARADU as being the flagship of the Nigerian navy, we have initiated our surveys onboard the NNS ARADU last year and finalised it during our latest visit to Lagos this week.
“Therefore, we would like to emphasise once again that we are highly honored for having this chance of being the prime contractor of NNS ARADU modernisation program.
“We assure you that we will accomplish the modernization and refit program according to our contract in time and deliver to the Nigerian Navy.