unveiled the country's first indigenous unmanned aerial
vehicle, GULMA, designed and constructed by the Nigerian
Air Force.
Speaking at the ceremony, Jonathan said that the unveiling of
the vehicle marked another landmark moment in the nation's
history.
He said that besides its diverse military application, the vessel
would provide a range of benefits in disaster management,
power line surveys and law enforcement.
Jonathan said that the vehicle would also be useful in aerial
imaging/mapping, telecommunications and weather
monitoring.
"It is also rapidly becoming an important tool in news
coverage, environmental monitoring, and oil and gas
exploration.
"Considering the potential impact of its benefit and versatility,
I cannot but say how proud I am of the men and women of
our Armed Forces.
"Apart from their commitment to the protection of our sovereignty, they are helping to keep our nation ahead in
military science and technology and to keep their civilian
counterparts on their toes.
"Today, as we stand in appreciation of the gallant men and
women of our Air Force, we are reminded that hard work and
diligence can break many barriers,'' he said.
Jonathan commended the Chief of Air Staff and all officers
and men of the Nigerian Air Force for the achievement,
noting that it would strengthen the country.
He said it would also enhance the nation's role in peace
keeping and conflict prevention.
The president said he was optimistic that this stride by the
Nigerian Air Force would mark a turning point for indigenous
technology in every sector of the nation's life.
"Let me assure the Air Force of the Federal Government's
support for this and all other research projects.
"We will encourage and assist private sector concerns to key
into mass production of the project to achieve the highest and
best commercial use of this prototype Unmanned Aerial
Vehicle.
"As I said in my Independence Day address, our nation is
made great by the big and small efforts of regular citizens.
"Indeed, indigenous initiatives remain indispensable in
achieving national greatness.
"To retain the country's importance on the global stage, we
must continue to produce leaders in science, technology, and
engineering, and invest more in ideas,'' the president said.
In his remark, Supervising Minister of Defence Labaran Maku
said the development of a surveillance aircraft by the Nigerian
Air Force was a bold statement of government's resolve to
provide security for the Nigerian populace.
Maku, who is the Minister of Information, said that the
GULMA UAV would potentially afford the armed forces a
window of immense opportunities in its task of acquiring
timely intelligence and combating criminality.
"Although the UAV was a brainchild of the Nigerian Air
Force, it is important that other services and security agencies
incorporate it into their operations, if its potential is to be fully
harnessed.
"There is therefore, the need for a comprehensive policy on
UAV acquisition and operation to optimise the employment of
GULMA UAV by all services and security agencies,'' he
said.
Earlier, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Alex Badeh, had
said that the GULMA was designed to meet vast expectations
and needs.
Badeh said that the GULMA could be employed by the armed
forces and security agencies for the protection of the country.
He explained that the air force envisaged partnership with
agencies such as NEMA and the Nigeria Air Space
Management Agency for weather forecasting.
"Furthermore, the GULMA, as a qualitative, timely and
reliable source of information could serve as a powerful tool
for media practitioners.
"To sustain the current tempo of development, the NAF
would require the assistance of government in infrastructure
and human capacity development.
Via: NAN
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