Following the delivery of its ASIO Maritime Task Force Solution to Nigeria, as part of the NIMASA Deep Blue Project, BIRD Aerosystems has completed a successful live demonstration of the ASIO aircraft capabilities, including real-time interception of vessels performing illegal activities at sea.
BIRD’s Asio task Force has been successfully operating in Nigeria for over two years, proving its effectiveness and unprecedented achievements in tackling piracy in the Nigerian EEZ and the entire maritime environment, allowing Nigeria to conclude 2022 with zero piracy events in its maritime territory. Recently, the International Bargaining Forum (IBF) has removed Nigeria from the list of countries designated as risk maritime nations. This is a confirmation of the improved global ratings of Security in the Nigerian maritime domain.
BIRD Aerosystems ASIO Task force solution provided to Nigeria includes multiple Cessna Citation CJ3 Maritime Patrol Aircraft installed with BIRD’s advanced MSIS mission management system. The integrated Aerial-Naval-Land solution facilitates maritime and coastal surveillance, patrol and survey of borders and strategic assets, and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) monitoring capabilities over large ranges, enabling efficient detection, tracking, and interception of any suspicious activity at sea.
During the demonstration, which was conducted in the presence of the Nigeria Hon. Minister of Transportation, Mr Muazu Jaji Sambo, DG Nimasa, DR. Bashir Jamoh, and Secretary General International Maritime Organization (IMO), Mr Kitack Lim, the ASIO Aircraft identified a suspicious vessel performing an illegal activity and polluting the sea. The Aircraft quickly identified and performed a discrimination process that enabled the Maritime Security Unit to catch this vessel, stop the pollution, and fine them.
Tal Spektor, CEO of HLS International LTD: “With air, land, and sea assets, the NIMASA Deep Blue project is the first integrated maritime security strategy in West and Central Africa, aiming to tackle piracy, sea robbery, and other crimes at sea. Proving effective and successful in ensuring a higher level of safety in the maritime sector in Nigeria, it is projected to attract Foreign Direct Investments to the country with an expected increase in vessels coming in 2023.”
Ronen Factor, Co-CEO and Founder at BIRD Aerosystems: “We are honoured to have an essential part of the NIMASA Deep Blue Project, with BIRD’s ASIO maritime patrol aircraft and the MSIS mission management system. Bringing piracy events in the Gulf of Guinea to practically zero, BIRD’s ASIO Task Force delivers an extremely powerful, comprehensive, and flexible maritime patrol solution, ensuring a high level of security.”
Last October, BIRD Aerosystems, presented its Airborne Surveillance, Information and Observation (ASIO) solutions at the Africa Airforce Forum in Senegal. Installed on hundreds of aircraft operating worldwide, BIRD’s solutions are operationally deployed by different customers in Africa, including forces of the UN operating in Mali, Somalia, and other conflict zones.
BIRD’s ASIO Special Mission Aircraft is an end-to-end airborne Information, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) solution ideal for maritime and ground surveillance. With the MSIS Mission Management C4I System that integrates all mission sensors, ASIO offers decision-makers and field commanders accurate, real-time terrestrial and maritime information that dramatically enhances situational awareness. A true force multiplier, ASIO enables even small crews to deliver detailed and comprehensive surveillance information covering large geographic areas and to provide a rapid and effective response to any incoming threat.
In July 2021, BIRD Aerosystems delivered a complete ASIO Maritime Task Force Solution to Nigeria. The ASIO Maritime Surveillance Task Force Solution provided includes multiple Maritime Patrol Aircraft installed with BIRD’s advanced MSIS mission management system – which was also at the Naval HQ command and on a number of vessels.
In April 2021, two Special mission CJ3 Cessna aircraft arrived Nigeria through the NAF Tactical Air Command (TAC), with its headquarters situated at Makurdi.
Both Special mission CJ3 Cessna aircraft will operate from the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) 107 Air Maritime Group (NAF 107 AMG) located in Benin city.
The Special mission CJ3 Cessna aircraft was configured by Birds Aerosystems and likely fitted with the Leonardo SeaSpray AESA surveillance radar as well as an electro-optical FLIR sensor says NIMASA Executive Director, Operations, Rotimi Fashakin.
Nigeria’s Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) is the recipient Of Bird Aerosystems’ advanced maritime patrol sensor and integrated Mission Management system (MSIS).