Swiftship, a U.S.-based military manufacturing company, has generously contributed two advanced unmanned water vessels to the Nigerian government.
The donated equipment, identified as the S2 and S3 Swift Sea Stalkers, was formally presented during a recent visit by Bello Matawalle, the Minister of State for Defence.
The Ministry’s Director of Press, Henshaw Ogubike, released a statement on Friday detailing the purpose of the minister’s visit to the United States.
The primary objective was to inspect the facilities of prominent high-tech military hardware companies.
The minister, during the visit, handed over the state-of-the-art vessels to President Bola Tinubu, emphasizing their role in safeguarding the maritime environment and other crucial areas of the country.
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The minister articulated that these unmanned water vessels would be strategically deployed in regions such as the Niger Delta, Lake Chad, and other maritime zones to enhance national security.
In the statement, it was highlighted, “The Minister of State for Defence presented two hi-tech unmanned water vessels to President Bola Tinubu in the Villa to help fight against insecurity on our waterways in particular and the nation in general. The two unmanned ships were donated by Swift Ship Company in the USA to the Nigerian government.”
The minister elucidated that the S2 and S3 Swift Sea Stalkers represent the latest technological advancements and are integral to addressing security challenges effectively.
Drawing attention to his recent visit to high-tech military hardware companies in the U.S., the minister shared insights into his exploration of innovative technologies that could bolster the Nigerian military’s efficiency.
Furthermore, Matawalle expressed the intention to foster partnerships with U.S. companies to facilitate local production of military hardware in Nigeria, aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s agenda of ensuring peace and security in the nation.
The minister assured the President that the newfound collaboration would enable Nigeria to acquire innovative techniques in military hardware production.
During his U.S. visit, the minister inspected various facilities, including a rapid deployment mobile RADAR system, an unmanned water vehicle, a drone ground control station, and a compact biometric search-scan system, among others.
Matawalle emphasized that these cutting-edge military and intelligence capabilities obtained from the U.S. companies would significantly contribute to Nigeria’s fight against insecurity.
Swiftships, established in 1942, has a global reputation for providing innovative solutions in shipbuilding.
The company’s commitment to end-to-end shipbuilding, testing, and delivery services, complemented by hands-on training and vessel lifecycle sustainment support, has positioned it prominently in the world market.
In a related development in March 2022, the United States demonstrated its commitment to Nigeria’s security by donating five mobile detection system vans and other equipment valued at $2 million to the Nigeria Police Force Explosive Ordinance Disposal.
The equipment was presented in Lagos by Steward Voit, the Sustainability Manager from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Nuclear Smuggling Detection and Deterrence.
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