Minister of Defence, retired Major General Bashir Magashi has performed the keel laying ceremony for 2 x 76m High Endurance Offshore Patrol Vessels at Dearsan Shipyard.

He performed this in company of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo, Chief of Naval Transformation, Rear Admiral Okon Eyo and the Director Ship Design and Architecture, Rear Admiral Abolaji Orederu among other staff officers from the Naval Headquarters, Abuja.

Other dignitaries at the ceremony were the Nigeria Ambassador to Turkey, Ismail Yusuf, the Defence Adviser Brigadier General Ibrahim Mu’azu, Turkish Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Ercument TATLIOGLU, the President Dearsan Shipyard, Aziz Yildirim among other guests.

The Keel laying ceremony comes about 10 months after the Nigerian Navy (NN) signed a contract with Dearsan Shipyard, Turkey for the construction of 2 units of 76m HE OPV, precisely on 3 November 2021.

According to the Minister, “Signing of the contract did not only represent the commitment of government to improve the operational effectiveness of the Nigerian Navy but also serves to strengthen the strategic alliances between Nigeria and Turkey.

In his words, the Keel laying ceremony thus signifies the formal start of the ships’ construction, saying this is often marked by a short ceremony attended by dignitaries from the shipyard and the owners of the ship being constructed and this was the case in Dearsan Shipyard, Turkey.

On his part, the Nigerian Chief of Naval Staff added that, “the HEOPVs, are configured in line with the Nigerian Navy requirements, which are designed and built entirely in the shipyard’s facilities and will be equipped with modern systems.

He says the OPVs will be capable of conducting Search and Rescue operations, anti-piracy, anti-smuggling and anti-drug trafficking operations as well as disaster relief operations among others.

According to him, the vessels will be deployed to project naval power within the Gulf of Guinea (GoG), contribute significantly to enhancing global maritime commerce, deterring oil theft and ensuring secure seas for exploration and exploitation of Nigeria’s maritime and hydrocarbon resources.”

The CNS further added that the 2 HE OPV are expected to be completed within 37 months from the date of signing the contract, affirming that, “the construction of the HE OPVs is indeed another manifestation of the Federal Government’s commitment in maintaining a well-equipped navy that Nigerians would be proud of, and that is capable of discharging its constitutional roles.

He thanked President, Muhammadu Buhari and Defence Minister, the Senate and House Committees on Navy for their untiring support to the Nigerian Navy towards successful acquisition of the platforms and for the tremendous support towards actualisation of this project being part of the fleet renewal/recapitalisation efforts of the NN.

According to Director of Information, Commodore, Olukayode Ayo-Vaughan, keel laying ceremony marks the beginning of not just the construction of the HE OPVs at Dearsan Shipyard but a landmark cooperation between the Governments of Nigeria and Turkey.

His statement made available says the relationship is expected to flourish significantly as the Federal Government of Nigeria continues to patronise Turkish companies in further support of national security and for the mutual interest of both countries.