The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has underscored the significance of integrating Artificial Intelligence and other emerging technologies in contemporary military operations. He emphasized that the Nigerian Air Force’s (NAF) ability to leverage technological advancements would play a pivotal role in enhancing operational efficiency and effectiveness.
Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar articulated that a strong emphasis on artificial intelligence has the potential to revolutionize data processing, information analysis, and real-time decision-making, providing a strategic advantage in operational theaters across the country.
These remarks were made during the opening ceremony of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Communications Information Systems (CIS) Conference, held at NAF Headquarters on November 8, 2023. The CAS highlighted the need for enhanced investment in state-of-the-art encryption and cybersecurity measures to secure NAF’s communications.
The conference’s theme, “Exploiting Emerging CIS Technologies for an Agile and Resilient NAF to Effectively Meet National Security Imperatives,” aligns with the CAS’s Command Philosophy. This philosophy focuses on transforming the NAF into an agile and resilient force capable of meeting the airpower demands of national security in various operational environments. The CAS encouraged conference participants to deliberate within the context of this theme, emphasizing the critical role of military total radar coverage of Nigeria in monitoring the country’s airspace.
Air Marshal Abubakar emphasized the essential role of CIS in enabling informed decision-making, coordination of forces, and the achievement of mission objectives. He reaffirmed NAF’s commitment to remaining at the forefront of technological advancements, which is a key enabler of his Command Philosophy. The CAS also stressed that the conference underscores NAF’s dedication to staying ahead in modern warfare through the effective utilization of emerging CIS technologies.
Furthermore, the CAS noted the significance of having experienced senior officers as resource persons at the conference and urged participants to seize the opportunity to make a positive impact on NAF’s capabilities.
In his welcome address, Air Vice Marshal Ibikunle Daramola, the Chief of Communication and Information Systems (CCIS), highlighted the conference’s purpose: to explore innovative CIS technologies that can enhance NAF’s operational capabilities in addressing pressing national security challenges. He underlined the importance of evolving novel CIS technologies in military operations across various domains, including land, sea, air, and cyberspace. The core objective of the conference was to improve the capacity of CIS personnel and enhance NAF’s operational effectiveness. Air Vice Marshal Daramola also mentioned recent achievements of the CIS Branch, including the establishment of an Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance (ISR) Systems Maintenance Workshop and the implementation of the NAF Digital Correspondence System.
The two-day conference served as a platform for CIS practitioners and stakeholders to discuss critical issues, aiming to enhance operational effectiveness and future CIS practices. Notable stakeholders present at the conference included the National Information Technology Development Agency, National Space Research & Development Agency, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, Nigerian Communications Satellite Ltd, and the Nigerian Communications Commission.
The conference also drew participation from branch chiefs from Defense and service headquarters, commandants of tri-service institutions, and CIS professionals from various NAF units.
