The Nigerian Navy integrated the AYBARS-2 tactical unmanned aerial vehicle into its fleet in January 2026 to enhance surveillance across the country’s territorial waters.
The arrival of the tactical drones, manufactured by Turkey’s BMS Defence Technologies Inc., follows years of deepening security cooperation between Nigeria and Turkey. Navy officials confirmed the delivery and initial operational status of the drones during the first week of January 2026. These units are now active in the Gulf of Guinea, where they provide a persistent aerial presence for maritime security teams.
The procurement stems from a series of bilateral agreements that began in August 2021 when Turkish Ambassador Hidayet Bayraktar met with Nigerian military leadership to discuss counter-terrorism support. By 2022, these talks expanded into formal hardware acquisitions, including attack helicopters and infantry systems. The AYBARS-2 delivery represents the latest result of this partnership, filling a specific requirement for long-endurance monitoring of offshore oil infrastructure.
The AYBARS-2 is a tactical fixed-wing aircraft featuring Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) capability. This design allows the drone to operate from the cramped flight decks of Nigerian patrol vessels or from unprepared coastal sites without the need for a runway. It uses electric motors for the vertical-lift phase and switches to a gasoline internal-combustion engine for forward horizontal flight.
The system has a wingspan of 3.9 meters and a total body length of 2.26 meters. With a maximum take-off weight of 35 kg, it remains light enough for small teams to handle while carrying a sophisticated sensor suite. The integrated day-and-night cameras allow for 24-hour monitoring, which is essential for tracking illicit activities that often occur under the cover of darkness.
Operational data indicates the AYBARS-2 can stay airborne for 7 to 8 hours. It maintains an average cruising speed of 80 km/h, though it can reach a maximum speed of 130 km/h. The platform operates within a standard range of 100 km from its control station, though some configurations use data links capable of much longer distances for beyond visual range missions.
DOMESTIC PRODUCTION AND TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER
The integration of these drones coincides with a push by Nigeria’s Defence Space Administration (DSA) to establish a domestic manufacturing base. In May 2024, the DSA showcased a locally produced version of the platform, designated the AYBARS-II, at the Africa Air Force Forum in Abuja. By November 2024, the agency announced the opening of a dedicated production line to build these systems under license.
This dual-track approach, buying foreign systems while building local capacity, aims to reduce the military’s reliance on external supply chains. Rear Admiral Nnamdi Muogilim, a former head of the DSA, previously noted that the agency’s mandate involves providing a network-centric system to support the Armed Forces with real-time imagery of operational theaters. The AYBARS-2 serves as a primary sensor node within this wider intelligence network.
The use of VTOL drones offers a clear advantage for maritime interdiction. Traditional fixed-wing drones require land-based airstrips, which can delay response times when a suspicious vessel is spotted far out at sea. By launching directly from a ship, the AYBARS-2 gives commanders a local “eye in the sky” to verify targets before committing a manned boarding craft.
This capability is particularly relevant to Nigeria’s efforts to curb crude oil theft and piracy. The drones allow for rapid identification of vessels over vast areas without the high fuel and maintenance costs associated with flying manned helicopters or sailing large frigates.
The Nigerian Navy plans to distribute these drones across its regional commands to ensure continuous coverage of the Exclusive Economic Zone. The addition of the AYBARS-2 to the naval inventory is expected to provide a notable boost to maritime domain awareness. Additional testing is expected later this year to integrate the drones with existing naval command and control software. The next phase of the program will likely involve training more local operators to support the expanding fleet of domestically produced units.
The Nigerian Navy operates other types of UAVs including Chinese-made AR-500B VTOL drones, Comstrac System Ovation (CTS) Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) , TEKEVER AR3 UAV, and ADS Aerostar (9 acquired but currently inoperable).