The Nigerian Navy on Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Dearsan Shipyard Turkey to remodel its flagship, NNS ARADU.
NNS ARADU was commissioned into the Nigerian Navy fleet in 1985. The ship represented Nigeria in diverse naval operations and exercises overseas.
In his address at the ceremony held at the naval headquarters Abuja, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Auwal Gambo, while noting that NNS Aradu is the only surviving variant of the five MEKO 360 frigates built in Germany for Argentine and Nigerian navies, said wear and tear associated with sustained use as well as the harsh operating environment has taken its toll on the ship.
He said said the MoU was signed to refit the ship aimed at enhancing Nigerian Navy’s capability for enhanced security patrol within Nigeria’s maritime domain.
“However, with the support of the Federal Government of Nigeria through the unrelenting efforts of the standing Senate Committee on rehabilitation of NNS ARADU, we are gathered here today to commence modalities to rerole and modernise the nation’s flag ship.
“Another significance of today’s event is the landmark agreement for the supply of additional 57-meters Fast Attack Craft to support the remodelled flag ship. Undoubtedly, operationalisation of these two vessels will not only increase the fleet of ships but also reposition the Nigerian navy for enhanced maritime security operations for socio-economic prosperity of Nigeria and Africa at large,” Gambo said.
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