This article has updated with new information. The Aselsan anti-drone system was recovered by a joint Burkinabe and Malian military, and not in Nigeria.
In a joint military counter-terrorist operation carried out by Burkinabe and Malian troops on 25 May, several weapons and ammunition was recovered.
According to a statement issued by the General Staff of the Armed Forces, the terrorists attempted to attack using two suicide vehicles, in a desperate attempt to sow terror and destruction. However, the rapid and effective response of the FAMa thwarted this attack, thus inflicting considerable losses on the enemy. The results of the operation show terrorists neutralized, dozens of wounded among their ranks, and a significant quantity of enemy equipment seized.
The operation, carried out on May 26, 2024, not only resulted in the neutralization of the terrorists, but also led to the seizure of valuable equipment and the saving of lives.
Images of the recovered weapons was published during a joint statement by the military. One notable piece of equipment is the Turkish-made Aselsan IHASAVAR anti-drone jammer system. Turkey’s firm Aselsan developed the anti-drone jammer system “İHASAVAR ” to combat drone threats.
Drones are used for purposes such as Reconnaissance against spying and Eavesdropping, disturbance and attack with weapons or IEDs. The jammer system is designed to protect military bases, facilities, high value assets, checkpoints and VIPs against drone attacks by jamming the Remote Control Frequencies, GPS/GLONASS Satellites Navigation Frequencies and Data Link or Telemetry Frequencies of drones.
The system is powered by rechargeable Li-Ion batteries and can operate for 1.5 hours per charge. Its software has the capacity to program over 100 different jamming profiles.
Despite the increasing threat posed by drones from non-state actors in Africa, many African militaries have been slow to adopt and field adequate counter-UAV solutions. It is not yet certain how ISWAP acquired the İHASAVAR anti-drone gear, however, it may have likely been stolen from a regional Army’s national stockpile. Although, there are no known user of the type in Africa.
As the adoption of drones continues to expand across Africa, the demand for robust anti-drone technologies is expected to grow in parallel.
In recent years, the proliferation of drones has presented both opportunities and challenges across various sectors in Africa. While drones have been instrumental in areas such as agriculture, wildlife conservation, and infrastructure monitoring, they also pose security and privacy risks.
As a result, the demand for anti-drone technologies has surged, prompting African nations to invest in innovative solutions to address this emerging concern.
Governments, security agencies, and private organizations have been investing in technologies and strategies to mitigate the risks associated with drones. These measures include the use of radar and radio frequency detection systems, as well as the development of counter-drone technologies such as jamming and interception devices.
More recently, African countries have been actively exploring and adopting a range of anti-drone technologies to mitigate potential threats. These technologies encompass various approaches, including detection, tracking, and neutralization of unauthorized drones.