By Sunday Isuwa, Abuja
The National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP) has granted the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) the patent right for the local production of Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs).
The production of the UGVs was a Research and Development (R&D) effort of the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) Kaduna.
The UGVs are capable of supporting all phases of NAF operations either in hostile environments or concealed areas.
A statement by the NAF headquarters said after production, the vehicles would be used for security patrol and other critical national installations.
The AFIT Commandant, Air Vice Marshal Isyaka Bukar, received the patent right certificate on behalf of the NAF today, 12 July 2017. He expressed the determination of the NAF not to relent in the pursuit of innovative projects, being mindful of the impact on national development and preservation of foreign exchange.
Air Vice Marshal Bukar also requested for NOTAP’s continued support, as the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, had directed that efforts be intensified towards unveiling more products from the NAF’s R & D efforts.
Speaking during the presentation of the patent right certificate, the Director General of NOTAP, Dr Danazumi Ibrahim commended the efforts of the NAF in developing home grown technology, which he said had helped to place the nation on the path of technological advancement. While reiterating the commitment of NOTAP to encouraging the development of technological capacity in the country, Dr Ibrahim assured the NAF of NOTAP’s support in the quest to optimize indigenous technology. This is the second patent right granted to the NAF by NOTAP, the first being for the Hydraulic Diaphragm on the Mi-35 helicopter.