The Albatross SAM is a variant of the United States Raytheon RIM-7 Sea Sparrow. To complement the anti-aircraft guns, an Albatross surface to air missile system was mounted. These anti-aircraft guns was so devastating that it is capable of destroying a supersonic cruise missile at up to three kilometers. The Nigerian Navy was tasked to guard and defend the new nation, and to show the world that a new black power has emerged.Įach turret fires a 2.5 kg projectile at up to 900 rounds/minute out to a maximum range of 12 500 m and an anti-aircraft ceiling of 8 700 m. In addition to these vessels, there was a capable force of minesweepers, seaward defence boats and patrol craft.Īt that time, the Nigerian Navy was, at least on paper, a potent force. She was to spearhead Africa’s most powerful fleet at that time, comprising of a smaller, older frigate, the NNS Obuma, four corvettes of the Dorina and Erin’mi classes and six missile boats – three Ekpe class of German design and three Siri class of French design. NNS Aradu started her life as ‘ The Republic’, laid down at the Blohm Voss shipyard in Hamburg on December 1, 1978, and launched on January 25, 1980, two years later. Africa’s first multipurpose destroyer capable of simultaneous anti-air, anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare.īased on the Blohm & Voss MEKO 360 design pattern, although, specifically designated by the manufacturer as MEKO 360H1. The NNS Aradu given its heavy firepower and armaments was truly a unique ship, often classified as a destroyer. The Aradu (Hausa for “Thunder”) can be easily identified as the most heavily-armed warship in service with any African nation. One of such modern surface combatant is the NNS Aradu (F89), a Meko 360 class multipurpose frigate. However, an integral component of this role is operating modern surface combatants capable of meeting and exceeding the security needs of a country.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |