At the moment, Nigeria look far away from getting into a war of shooting and bombing with her neighbours or faraway states however, a country should not wait for war to be at their doorstep before arming up.
Considering Nigeria's status, internal conflicts and external threats, this are the weapons and capabilities Nigerian Military must acquire before 2020 to better service its defence needs.
(1) Modern S.A.M System: Nigerian Military at the moment are equipped with some manpad and the Roland Tactical Surface Air-to-Air Missile System which is effective if what you are protecting is a mobile combat formations and high value targets as its operational range is not more than 8km, its flight altitude 5km and its detention range is 16km. A modern fighter jet wouldn't need to get as close as 16 kilometres before sending a missile to wreck havoc.
For a country as big and important as Nigeria, a S.A.M system that is strong enough to protect big airspace and have a detention range that is over 100km is needed. The U.S.A or her close allies may be reluctant to supply Nigeria with an advanced S.A.M system that may fit this specifications and China's S.A.M system has not seen enough action to be trusted but the popular Russian S300 and S400 is a perfect S.A.M system for Nigeria.
The Russian S300/S400 carry different types of missile capable of destroying aerial targets at a short-to-extremely-long range and performed flawlessly in Syria. This S.A.M system or another as potent as it must be acquired by Nigeria before 2020.
(2) Advanced Fighter Jets: While the world is at the edge of 6th generational jets, Nigeria is still flying 2nd and 3rd generational jets. MiG-21 and its Chinese Cousin, F-7, Alpha Jets and the L39za Albastross are the most capable Fighter Jets Nigerian military fly. This jets are not even as good as what our aggresive little Neighbour, Chad, are flying.
American F-16 and F-18 or Russian advanced MiG and Sukhoi fighters should be added to the Pakistan JF-17 that has already been ordered by Nigeria to safeguard Nigeria's airspace and improve our ability to fight from the skies.
In a world where countries are improving their air capabilities, Nigeria should up its air capabilities to be able to withstand any African country's air threats and even beyond.
(3) Advanced Combat Drone: Nigeria is in the exclusive list of Countries who have used drones in battle but the best combat drone Nigeria still have is the Chinese CH-3 which has a limited range, operational radius, combat capabilities and endurance compare to what is available in the world's drone market today.
United State drones are arguably at the top of the chain but embargo is on the united state export of combat drones but there are still good options from Europe and China. The upgraded version of the Nigeria's CH-03, the CH-04 and the CH-05 are also very capable drones with range, operational radius and endurance that can match any drone in the world. Their combat capability is also as frightening as their other capabilities.
For the maximisation of attack and ISR capabilities with minimum risk to personnel life and reduction of operational cost, Nigeria should stock up advanced drones for threat on ground and the ones to come.
(4) Submarines : For the Nigerian Military, This is considered long overdue by military analyst considering Nigeria's long coast and the oil vandalism and smuggling problems, Militancy and pirate problems that has been faced by Nigeria for a long time.
Military uses include attacking enemy surface ships (merchant and military), attacking other submarines, aircraft carrier protection,
blockade running, Sea denial and some specialised Submarines carry ballistic missiles and nuclear armed missiles.
Due to Submarines low sound signature while submerged, Submarine is a stealth way of infiltrating enemy waters or getting closer to a target without fear of detection, escorting and attacking enemy vessels and escaping like they were not even there, and also the psychological effect it has on anybody trying to attack those armed with it.
Nigeria should acquire a Diesel/Electric Submarine as a Nuclear Submarine is out of reach for a country like Nigeria, to improve their attack and defence capabilities on our water ways.
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