Nigeria’s Briech UAS unveils Damisa combat drone

Developed in collaboration with Nigerian tech firm Briech UAS, the Damisa drone was recently showcased at the company’s headquarters in Abuja.

Though technical specifications were not disclosed, Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa emphasized that the drone will serve as a force multiplier, significantly enhancing the Nigerian military’s operational effectiveness.

He added that this achievement validates the country’s ability to create “something that will be very, very outstanding anywhere in the world.”

The combat drone is expected to complement Nigeria’s existing surveillance and reconnaissance platforms, playing a critical role in counter-insurgency operations.

Musa underscored the strategic importance of producing such a weapon domestically, pointing out that reliance on foreign suppliers often leads to “bureaucratic bottlenecks” that delay access to critical equipment.

“We know what it means if you don’t produce what you need, you’ll be held whenever you need them, even with your money at hand,” he stressed.

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Gwabin Musa, described the initiative as a major milestone in Nigeria’s journey toward self-reliance in defence technology and a significant step in strengthening national security capabilities.

Musa emphasised that the development of combat drones was a timely intervention, highlighting their efficiency in intelligence gathering.

He said that these drones would facilitate decisive actions against threats in an era where security challenges were increasingly complex and asymmetric.

By manufacturing these drones locally, Musa added, Nigeria can reduce its dependence on foreign sources, ensuring quicker acquisition and a more rapid response to emerging threats.

The Nigerian Army already fields foreign-made drones, such as the Chinese Wing Loong II and the US Textron Aerosonde drones, to bolster its fleet.

More recently, the Nigerian government procured 43 drones as part of Project Guardian, aimed at addressing security challenges in the North-West region. It is believed that the drones are Bayraktar TB2s, known for their advanced surveillance and strike capabilities.