The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, has charged all formations of the Nigerian Army, to leverage local capabilities, skills, and competencies, to ensure the effective maintenance of the Nigerian Army’s equipment.
General Lagbaja gave the charge during the closing of Exercise Vulcan Glow 9 in Kachia, Kaduna State, Northwest Nigeria.
The Nigerian Army authorities said Exercise Vulcan Glow provided an avenue to sustain the long-standing tradition of artillery-mortar concentration during firepower demonstrations in asymmetric warfare.
The Ninth Edition of the exercise which commenced on October 20, was the first time both air and ground coordination were achieved.
The exercise was designed in three phases, namely; the tactical manoeuvre, the direct engagement, and the interior economy, with the transmission of a deliberate fire plan, comprising nine assets of anti-aircraft artillery guns.
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ait.live reports that the Oelicon 35 mm anti-aircraft gun showcased during the simulation exercise, is designed to achieve both air and ground targets and has a range of 6500 metres, with an effective range of 4000 metres.
Each of its two barrels fires 550 rounds per minute and is operated by seven crew members.
The Army Chief, whose address was delivered by the Chief of Training, Nigerian Army Headquarters, Major General Sani Mohammed, expressed optimism that shortly, the various indigenous research and development efforts of the Nigerian Army would yield the desired results in furtherance of its operations.
Seven artillery formations namely 31, 32, 33, 34, and 35 Artillery brigades, as well as 301 and 302 Artillery regiments participated in the ten-day exercise.
Editor: Ken Eseni