In an era of ever-evolving naval warfare, a navy’s ability to adapt and modernize is crucial for maintaining relevance and effectiveness in future conflicts. For the Nigerian Navy, significant growth and modernization have been witnessed, with the acquisition of capital warships that place it among Africa’s largest naval branches. However, an essential element seems to be missing – the presence of missile-armed warships that are imperative for the navy’s near-peer combat capabilities.
At first glance, the Nigerian Navy’s formidable tonnage and fleet size may seem impressive, even surpassing other African heavyweights such as South Africa, Morocco, Tunisia, Angola, Sudan, Libya, and Kenya. However, this seeming strength is overshadowed by the navy’s lack of lethality.
Identified capability gaps
Most of the Nigerian Navy’s warships are devoid of anti-ship, anti-submarine, and air defense missile systems. From their flagship, the NNS Aradu, to recently acquired vessels like the Dearsan shipyard’s 76-meter patrol vessels, the absence of critical missile systems stands out as a vulnerability.
It’s essential to note that while the Nigerian Navy may not currently face conventional threats from near-peer adversaries, its core mission remains safeguarding Nigeria’s territorial sovereignty against any potential aggressor, whether domestic or foreign. This underscores the importance of having a capable and lethal naval force to deter aggression.
However, the absence of missile-armed warships raises questions about the navy’s preparedness to defend against potential near-peer foes in distant seas, beyond the reach of the Nigerian Air Force’s limited-range aircraft.
Aradu loses its missiles
The NNS Aradu, once the pride of the Nigerian Navy, has lost its onboard missile systems due to age and obsolescence. In its prime, this frigate was equipped with an impressive array of armaments, including anti-ship and anti-air missiles, anti-submarine torpedoes, and naval guns. The loss of its Albatross surface-to-air missile system and Otomat Mk 1 anti-ship missiles without replacement highlights the reduced firepower and lethality of the Nigerian Navy.
The once formidable MEKO 360 class frigate had in it’s arsenal an OTO Melara Compact 127 mm/L54 dual-purpose gun, an Albatross surface to air missile system was mounted in an octuple launcher atop the hangar. The Albatross SAM is a variant of the United States Raytheon RIM-7 Sea Sparrow.
To combat enemy ships, the NNS Aradu was armed with eight Otomat Mk 1 anti-ship missiles carried amidships with four situated behind the mast and forward the twin funnels and two each amidships on each side of the ship.
The Otomat Mk 1 is a short-range subsonic anti-ship missile developed by the Italian company Oto Melara jointly with Matra. It is capable of reaching around 180 kilometres at an average speed of 1,100 kilometres per hour.
The old stock of Albatross SAM and Otomat Mk 1 anti-ship missile has since been destroyed by the Nigerian Navy due to their age.
Other equipment and weapons carried by Aradu includes a six 324 mm torpedoes and a depth charge rack. Both are for anti-submarine warfare.
With the age and obsolescence of her major weapons, sensors, and combat systems the ship was to undertake a new role as a combat training and offshore patrol ship.
Warships without missiles
Moving on, the acquisition of ex-US Coast Guard Hamilton-class patrol cutters further complicates the navy’s missile capabilities. While these long-range offshore patrol vessels arrived without anti-ship missile systems, they possess certain armaments, including the OTO Melara Mark 75 76 mm gun, two 25 mm Mk38s, a MK 15 Block 1 20 mm Phalanx CIWS, and six .50 caliber machine guns.
Additionally, Chinese P18N patrol vessels, NNS Unity and NNS Centenary, had their missile systems swapped for oil spillage mechanisms, rendering them less capable in heavy naval engagements.
The P18N class are based on China’s Type 056 (Jiangdao-class) guided missiles corvettes with primary armament consisting of four YJ-83 antiship missiles carried amidships, which have a 419-pound warhead and a maximum range of 97 nm. The class carries two triple 324-mm torpedo tubes to counter submarines, and a single naval helicopter can operate from the landing deck aft, although there is no hangar. An eight-cell FL-3000N point defense surface-to-air missile launcher is fitted forward of the helicopter landing deck. The ships each carry a single 76-mm gun near the bow and a remotely operated 30-mm gun mounted on the port and starboard sides.
However, Nigeria opted for the less capable variant fitted a H/PJ26 76mm main gun mount and two H/PJ14 30mm gun mounts.
Moving on, as the Turkish Dearsan shipyard prepares to deliver two 76-meter offshore patrol vessels with reduced armaments, including the omission of MBDA SIMBAD-RC surface-to-air missile systems, the navy’s lack of missile-armed ships remains a pressing concern.
In November 1977, the Nigerian Navy ordered three modified La Combattante IIIB missile-boats from CMN, this was slightly larger and faster than the standard La Combattante III design, but with a reduced armament. These were known as the Siri class.
Mission Accomplished
So far, the Nigerian navy has set it’s sights in fulfilling this sets of missions in the gulf of guinea area of operations: maritime interdiction, surveillance, special forces missions, naval fire support for land forces, search and rescue, anti-piracy operations, anti-smuggling efforts, counter-drug trafficking operations, and disaster relief missions, among others.
However, that mandate is all but achieved as the piracy incidents in the gulf of guinea has been all but eliminated. So far in 2023, pirate and armed robbery incidents in the Gulf have continued to decrease. Just five incidents were reported in the first quarter of 2023 compared to eight in the first quarter of 2022 and 16 in 2021, according to the International Maritime Bureau (IMB).
However, the navy cannot rest on its oars, as it must set it’s sight on a new mission which is transforming itself into a formidable force for modern warfare and maritime defence purposes. This adaptability must be achieved at a cost-effective price, a crucial factor for the Nigerian Navy.
Despite notable achievements in maritime security, piracy incidents in the Gulf of Guinea have significantly decreased, the Nigerian Navy cannot afford to rest on its laurels. It must prepare to transition into a formidable force for modern warfare and maritime defense, cost-effectively.
Lack of funding stymies procurement possibilities
The inability of the Nigerian Military to acquire more lethal assets may stem from the fact that it’s procurement is completely reliant on the federal government benevolence. The Nigerian navy designs a naval roadmap, while the government provides the fund. In the instances where there are no funds, the navy will have to scale down it’s aspirations. Nevertheless, the mandate to defend the country’s territorial sovereignty remains paramount.
This May, Auwal Gambo, Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), says there is an utmost need for the country to have well-prepared fleet to tackle crimes as well as sustain the economy. Gambo spoke at the 2023 maritime discourse on the presidential fleet review, in Lagos.
Meanwhile, Akinsola Johnson, retired rear admiral, during the panel session, said the federal government has made a remarkable effort in supporting the navy but more can be done.
He also highlighted the need for more funds, on-the-job training, logistics support as well as incentives for personnel.
“I must confess the government has been trying for the Nigerian navy for a long time. They have acquired many ships for us and patrol boats. They have done a lot. But you see, the issue is, the resources are lean.
“The navy has acquired about 55 ships and over 300 boats and that is huge. It is with taxpayers’ money and the federal government, because of its commitment, was able to procure those vessels for us. However, those ships have to be maintained. Maintenance of ships costs a lot of money.”
To address the lethality gap, the Nigerian Navy should explore acquiring new frigates or missile-armed corvettes, along with diesel-electric submarines in the future to deter adventurous adversarial warships effectively.
Earlier in 2021, with the conclusion of a two-day Nigerian Navy (NN) Retreat 2021 held at new Conference Hall of Naval Headquarters (NHQ), Abuja, the naval branch was advised to seek a new frigate flagship. Also, the Nigerian Navy in mid-2009 presented its plans for its strategic goal in the short, medium and long term. This is part of the Nigerian Navy’s (NN) conceptualized multi-layered Total Spectrum Maritime Strategy (TSMS).
In the short term, the Navy said it required two light frigates, two 85 meter OPVs, six 17 meter Manta Class IPCs, six Shaldag MK 11 Patrol Craft, two 38 meter FPBs, two combat Augusta A138 helicopters, one Landing Platform Dock, and two Logistics Ships.
While the medium term spanning two-five years would require ten OPVs, 20 helicopters, one hydrographic ship, two training ships, two logistics ships, and two mine counter measure vessels (MCMVs).
In the long term spanning between five to ten years, the Nigerian Navy will require three Conventional Submarines, two corvettes, two LPDs, 20 long range maritime patrol helicopters, two training ships and two MCMVs.
Most of these naval assets have since been acquired.
Innovative technologies like drones and other unmanned systems, artificial intelligence, advanced sensors, smart munitions, and integrated command and control systems should also be considered.
The time to act is now, to ensure the Nigerian Navy’s readiness for future near-peer conflicts and to uphold its mission of defending the nation’s territorial sovereignty.
Naval balance of power shifts
Meanwhile, the Senegalese Navy has taken delivery of new missile-armed OPV 58 S warships. The OPV 58 S can undertake a variety of missions due to its robust and versatile nature. Amongst such missions is its anti-surface warfare and anti-aircraft deterrent capability through a potent array of offensive weapons systems.
While its performance is quite impressive, its armaments load out is even better. The weapons suite of the OPV 58 S consist of; a 76mm main gun by Leonardo, four SIMBAD-RC surface to air missiles, four 12.7mm manned machine guns, two Nexter 20mm remote weapon stations and four Marte MK2/N anti-ship missiles placed forward of the ship.
Naval Group will supply the POLARIS combat management system. The most significant weapon aboard the Senegalese Navy’s OPV 58 S warship is the Marte MK2/N anti-ship missile.
Marte MK2/N anti-ship missile.
The Marte MK2/N ship-launched variant. fire-and-forget anti-ship missile was introduced in January 2006 and developed by European missile manufacturer, MBDA.
It was designed to be deployed a in low-intensity naval warfare operations, to destroy a number of high-value and fast maneuvering targets at medium ranges in all weather conditions.