Nigerian technology startup Terra Industries on Monday unveiled a suite of new defence systems, including interceptor drones and unmanned mine-clearing vehicles, that the military says could bolster its anti-insurgency operations.
The launch comes as Nigeria contends with an Islamist insurgency that has lasted more than 17 years. This year, militants have intensified attacks on army positions using improvised explosive devices and drones.
Until now, Terra had focused on civilian drones and other security equipment. Chief Executive Officer Nathan Nwachukwu said the company is expanding into military hardware with “interceptor UAVs, minesweepers, ground vehicles that can detect IEDs on the ground, and our battlefield intelligence software.
”Speaking at an event on protecting Nigeria and Africa’s critical assets at the company’s Abuja facility, Nwachukwu said the systems are designed to reduce troop exposure to IEDs and to counter the growing use of weaponised drones by insurgents.
Major General Babatunde Alaya, who heads the state-run Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria, DICON, said collaboration with Terra Industries had become necessary given high troop casualties from improvised explosive devices. “Partnerships like this help us respond faster to threats on the battlefield,” he said.
The unveiling reflects a broader push to deepen local content in Nigeria’s defence procurement and to deploy indigenous technology against evolving security threats.
