MARITIME SECURITY: Navy Launches Exercise Swift Response 2024 With 7 Ships, 2 Helicopters To Enhance Safety

The Nigerian Navy has embarked on Exercise Swift Response 2024, deploying an impressive fleet of 7 ships and 2 helicopters to bolster maritime safety and response capabilities.

The inauguration of Exercise Swift Response 2024 was by the Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Mustapha Hassan aboard the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) KADA. The exercise aims to enhance operational readiness and tackle maritime challenges effectively.

Addressing the gathering, Rear Admiral MD Hassan emphasized the significance of this quarterly exercise for the Western Naval Command. He highlighted the exercise’s objectives, which remain aligned with previous iterations but incorporate new elements.

“Today, we are flagging off Swift Response. It is one of the quarterly exercises for the Western Naval Command, and the aim of the exercise this time is also in line with how it was before but with a little twist,” he stated.

Rear Admiral Hassan outlined the key focus areas of the exercise, including shifts in communication, gunning fleet maneuvers, and other essential aspects. However, he underscored the primary emphasis on rehearsing and testing new tactics, particularly in triangulating and zeroing in on rogue vessels at sea. “The rogue vessels these days have developed their tactics, and we need to be up to speed and a step ahead of them at all times,” he emphasized.

For the execution of Exercise Swift Response, the Western Naval Command has mobilized seven ships and two helicopters, augmenting maritime domain awareness facilities to effectively prosecute the exercises.

With these strategic maneuvers and tactical innovations, the Nigerian Navy is poised to strengthen its capabilities in combating maritime threats and ensuring the safety and security of Nigeria’s maritime domain and the Gulf of Guinea.

On his part, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ikechukwu Emmanuel Ogalla who was represented by Rear Admiral Habilla Zakaria, representing , reiterated the importance of the exercise’s objectives. He also addressed the potential risks associated with such operations, emphasizing the need for robust search and rescue capabilities.

“We flagged off this Exercise Swift Response from the Western Naval Command,” he affirmed. “Just as the FOC rightly said, one of the cardinal points in the exercise is to see how to exercise ourselves and also to carry out the tactics of triangulating the rogue vessels at sea.

“One of the consequences of this is that it could lead to mishaps of collision at sea, or mishaps at sea. Of course, we also have to conduct search and rescue operations,” Rear Admiral Zakaria stated.

With a focus on enhancing search and rescue capabilities, Exercise Swift Response 2024 aims to strengthen the Nigerian Navy’s readiness to address maritime challenges effectively.

The deployment of multiple ships and helicopters underscores the Navy’s commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime domain and ensuring the safety of all maritime activities within the region.

This exercise represents a significant stride forward in advancing maritime safety and operational readiness, reaffirming the Nigerian Navy’s dedication to protecting the nation’s maritime interests.