Jonathan unveils locally-made drone

The drone, which was manufactured by engineers at the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) in Kaduna, is a 40 kilogram single payload and can fly for seven hours with 12 liters of fuel.  The president noted at the unveiling ceremony that the construction of the UAV, named ‘Gulma’, would strengthen the nation and enhance […]

The drone, which was manufactured by engineers at the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) in Kaduna, is a 40 kilogram single payload and can fly for seven hours with 12 liters of fuel.  
The president noted at the unveiling ceremony that the construction of the UAV, named ‘Gulma’, would strengthen the nation and enhance her role in peace keeping and conflict prevention.
Jonathan said besides diverse military applications, UAVs provide mankind with a range of benefits in disaster management, power line surveillance, law enforcement, telecommunication, weather monitoring and aerial image mapping is also rapidly becoming an important tool in news coverage, environmental monitoring and oil and gas exploration.
“Considering the potential impact of its benefit and versatility, I cannot but say how proud I am of the men and women of our armed forces apart from their commitment to the protection of our sovereignty, they are helping to keep our nation ahead in military science and technology and to keep their civilian counterparts on their toes,” he said.
Jonathan said the vessel has diverse military applications and is a vital tool in disaster management, power line surveys, law enforcement telecommunications, weather monitoring, aerial imaging/mapping, news coverage, environmental monitoring as well as oil and gas exploration. He commended the armed forces for their commitment in protecting Nigeria’s sovereignty, helping to keep her ahead in military science and technology as well as keeling the civilians on their toes.
He said with the launch of the first indi-genous combat vessel developed by the Nigerian Navy and various armoured and operational vehicles developed by the Nigerian Army in the past year, the collective efforts of the armed forces had opened a new vista of innovations and opportunities for the nation.
The president however acknowledged that though the nation was capable of great deeds, she was still confronted by challenges that must be surmounted.  Jonathan was not specific on these challenges, but stressed the need for all Nigerians to remain focused on their common national purpose.
“We must not forget the lesson of this encouraging moment in our nation’s history–that as Nigerians we are capable of great deeds.  In the same manner, we must not forget that ahead of us still lie challenges that we must surmount. We must therefore, stay focused on our common national purpose”, he said.
In his remarks, the Supervising Minister of Defence, Labaran Maku, said the air craft was a bold statement of government’s resolve to provide security for the populace.
Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Alex Badeh said the name of the drone ‘Gulma’ (which means gossip in Hausa), was derived from the aircraft’s primary role as an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platform.