Rear view shot of all three OCEA patrol craft with pennant numbers P175, P176 and P177
(Photo Credit: VOICE OF NIGERIA)
VOICE OF NIGERIA
Posted on Febuary 11, 2013
Chiamaka Ikechuku
Lagos
The Nigerian Navy has commissioned five fast patrol boats aimed at enhancing maritime security. The commissioning of the boats will increase the capacity of the Nigerian Navy to ensure effective security in Nigeria’s territorial waters.
Historic
One of the notable features of the boats
is its very high manoeuvrability with good sea keeping qualities. The three OCEA fast patrol boats are of 24.00m length with maximum speed of 32 Knots while the two Shaldag fast patrol boats are of 24.80m length with maximum speed of 45 Knots. The commissioning held at the Headquarters of the Western Naval Command in Lagos, Western Nigeria,came barely one year after the
commissioning of the Nigerian Navy Ship ‘Thunder’ and the Nigerian Navy-built ship ‘Andoni’ by the Nigerian President.
Another milestone
At the event, the Minister of State for
Defence, Dr. Olusola Obada, says the
occasion marks another milestone in the
history of the Nigerian Navy. According to Dr. Obada, the Nigerian Navy is making progress in spite of the constraints militating against its efforts
to optimally discharge its statutory duties.
“I am aware of the constraints
militating against the Nigerian Navy’s
efforts to optimally discharge its
statutory duties, especially in the
security of the maritime domain. It is
however gladdening to note that in spite of existing challenges,the Nigerian Navy has continued to do its best in safeguarding the nation’s maritime assets,” Dr. Obada stated. She said that the Navy’s resolve and dedication, so far has been a source encouragement not only to the Nigerian government but also to the citizenry.
Repositioning the Navy Dr. Obada said the acquisitions of the boats and others are part of the Nigerian government’s efforts to reposition the Nigerian Navy for enhanced effectiveness. She assured the Navy of the unflinching support of the government as they discharge the onerous responsibility of maritime security.
In order to ensure proper and efficient
deployment of the boats, the Chief of
Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Dele Ezeoba,
says a total number of 11 officers and 48 ratings have been successfully trained to man and maintain the boats. Vice Admiral Dele Ezeoba says the acquisition of the boats and its subsequent deployment is an expression
of the Navy’s commitment to the
attaining its operational objectives.
He also acknowledged the contributions
made by the Chief of Defence Staff in the
acquisition of the boats, saying that his
bold and laudable initiative saw the
successful procurement of the Shaldag
and OCEA class fast patrol boats which were acquired from Israel and France.
Jimmy, look at the patrol craft marked ‘P177′. That stuff which has two officers obscured from view is a gun shield which is mostly used by the NN as mount for a 12.7mm HMG and sometimes, for a 40mm AGL.
However, I did not quite get to see the fore-mounted weapon but those would almost certainly be a 20mm cannon such as you have on the NNS Andoni.
Thank you very much for feeding the monster I am very grateful………… any pics on the new shaldags even though ……… I have seen them before…….@ OGA EYIMOLA I had some BACKGROUND INFO so I knew we had more that 2 shaldags I want to say now we have between 5/ 6 but I cannot pin down their P Numbers yet so i await those pictures from Oga Beegeagle.
Lastly LET US GIVE CREDIT where credit is due I have been an honest , vocal , integrity based critic of the G.E.J. ADMINISTRATION no doubt about it however slow it may appear this administration is making a slow but determined effort to secure our coastal areas there is still a long way to go however:
1) The creation of the CENTRAL COMMAND
2) The creation of the NAVAL AIR WING
3) The Impending acquisition of 2+2 O.P.V. with the very likely hood that China is speculating about giving a decommissioned Frigate to Nigeria
4) The Discipline of the NAVAL ratings and officers since the tenure of ADMIRAL IBRAHIM and now EZEOBA took over has been a marked change from the past from being in the headlines for all the wrong and unprofessional reasons to now being in the news for all the right reasons.
5) Finally the fruits of these acquisitions are long term when Nigerians see a well run , Highly educated, Professional Navy- in return the Navy will see more and more of the most intelligent , highly motivated and Educated Nigerians attracted to it . For this I say thank you Mr President.
I was wacthing NTAi two days ago when the news report regarding this commissioning came up. Couldnt believe my luck. This is awesome
Yeah, deep sea assets next…new and used. We should look again at Spain, Portugal and Greece where economic downtimes have forced them to downsize all facets of their national security footprint.
They might have deepsea assets available at bargain prices as they seek to cut back on expenditure. Have we spoken to the Chinese who are decommisioning an armada of Type 53 frigates which we can use, particularly the H2 variants? Burma and Bangladesh are already cashing in on the boon.
By the way, what is stalling the French deal for maritime security and armoured assets?
In February 2010, the pullout “Defence Reports” section of “Saturday Sun” newspapers carried a report which indicated the outgone President Sarkozy had approved the sale of four large patrol craft, thirty patrol boats and a squadron of Eurocopter Fennec helicopters to the Nigerian Navy and the Army were also lined up to receive armoured vehicles – almost certainly Panhard VBL scout cars and Sagaie AFV.
Have we let that slip to ‘competing demands?’ yet again – same way we downed a deal for twenty CN 235, medium-sized airlift planes with an incomparable flight endurance for planes in its class – 5,505km?
I remember adekeye as CNS saying attack helicopters were coming, for the navy and word had it that it would be fennec, when I first saw the bell 206′s, I knew they were 206′s but was not sure,becos I was ezpecting to see fennec!!
General beeg i came across this video of operation faruata and felt i should share http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNUgmwAH_aU
Nice one coming from Channelstv..
Thanks for sharing, Dalumo.
THESE TYPES OF VIDEOS really need to be shared with Nigerians so they can truly comprehend the seriousness of the problem starts with the vastness of the ocean which starts in the million square mile range.
What i saw shows me even with Eight ships which in itself is commendable you still see the vastness of the problem and the vulnerability of these oil tankers hence the need for enhanced radar and marine aircraft and marine helios.
Thank you OGA dalumo