Turkey is to supply two new offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) to Nigeria as part of the commitment of that country to assist West Africa to fight piracy in the Gulf of Guinea.
Two weeks after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey visited Nigeria as part of a three-nation Africa visit that included Angola and Togo, the Nigerian Navy announced it has signed a contract with Turkish company Dearsan Shipyard for the purchase of two OPVs.
The high endurance vessels will have the capability to carry out maritime interdiction operations, surveillance and special forces operations. They are set for delivery in 2024 and will be deployed for patrol activities in the Gulf of Guinea as part of Nigeria’s heightened efforts to crack down on piracy.
“The OPVs will also be capable of conducting search and rescue operations, anti-piracy, anti-smuggling and anti-drug trafficking operations and disaster relief operations among others,’’ said .
Vice Adm. Awwal Gambo, Nigeria’s Chief of the Naval Staff, said that the 250-foot vessels will also have the capability and flexibility to be outfitted with sensors and weapons for warfare and maritime defense purposes.
The contract comes days after Nigeria and Turkey committed to deepen bilateral relations. “We are strengthening our cooperation on military defense and security issues with Nigeria, which is fighting against terrorist organizations, armed gangs and piracy,” said President Erdogan in Abuja last month.
