BIRD Aerosystems completes a successful demonstration of its ASIO Maritime Patrol aircraft as part of Nigeria’s NIMASA Deep Blue project
April 3, 2023 – Following the delivery of its ASIO Maritime Task Force Solution to Nigeria, as part of the NIMASA Deep Blue Project, BIRD Aerosystems has completed a successful live demonstration of the ASIO aircraft capabilities, including real-time interception of vessels performing illegal activities at sea.
BIRD’s Asio task Force has been successfully operating in Nigeria for over two years, proving its effectiveness and unprecedented achievements in tackling piracy in the Nigerian EEZ and the entire maritime environment, allowing Nigeria to conclude 2022 with zero piracy events in its maritime territory. Recently, the International Bargaining Forum (IBF) has removed Nigeria from the list of countries designated as risk maritime nations. This is a confirmation of the improved global ratings of Security in the Nigerian maritime domain.
BIRD Aerosystems ASIO Task force solution provided to Nigeria includes multiple Cessna Citation CJ3 Maritime Patrol Aircraft installed with BIRD’s advanced MSIS mission management system. The integrated Aerial-Naval-Land solution facilitates maritime and coastal surveillance, patrol and survey of borders and strategic assets, and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) monitoring capabilities over large ranges, enabling efficient detection, tracking, and interception of any suspicious activity at sea.
During the demonstration, which was conducted in the presence of the Nigeria Hon. Minister of Transportation, Mr. Muazu Jaji Sambo, DG Nimasa, DR. Bashir Jamoh, and Secretary General International Maritime Organization (IMO), Mr. Kitack Lim, the ASIO Aircraft identified a suspicious vessel performing an illegal activity and polluting the sea. The Aircraft quickly identified and performed a discrimination process that enabled the Maritime Security Unit to catch this vessel, stop the pollution, and fine them.
Tal Spektor, CEO HLS International LTD: “With air, land, and sea assets, the NIMASA Deep Blue project is the first integrated maritime security strategy in West and Central Africa, aiming to tackle piracy, sea robbery, and other crimes at sea. Proving effective and successful in ensuring a higher level of safety in the maritime sector in Nigeria, it is projected to attract Foreign Direct Investments to the country with an expected increase in vessels coming in 2023.”
Ronen Factor, Co-CEO and Founder at BIRD Aerosystems: “We are honored to have an essential part of the NIMASA Deep Blue Project, with BIRD’s ASIO maritime patrol aircraft and the MSIS mission management system. Bringing piracy events in the Gulf of Guinea to practically zero, BIRD’s ASIO Task Force delivers an extremely powerful, comprehensive, and flexible maritime patrol solution, ensuring a high level of security.”
Photo courtesy BIRD Aerosystems
