The bustling halls of the 4th African Air Forces Forum in Lagos buzzed with anticipation as delegates, defence officials, and technology enthusiasts gathered to witness a striking milestone in Nigeria’s aerospace innovation: a Made‑in‑Nigeria rifle‑armed hexacopter drone. This impressive drone, designed and built by the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT), is drawing attention not just for its technological sophistication, but for what it symbolises—a homegrown leap toward self-reliance in defence capabilities.
A Proud Showcase of Local Ingenuity
On June 24, 2025, Professor M. Alimony, Director of Research and Development at AFIT, stepped onto the stage with the hexacopter in tow. The drone, armed with an automatic rifle and crafted using around 70% locally sourced hardware and software, stood as a testament to Nigeria’s commitment to building its own defence solutions.
“As Nigerians, our goal is not only to produce this technology locally but to own it entirely,” Professor Alimony passionately declared. His words resonated through the audience, underscoring a growing national ambition: reducing dependence on foreign suppliers and nurturing an ecosystem that thrives on innovation from within.
Technical Prowess Meets Practical Purpose
This hexacopter carries a remarkable arsenal of features. Its six-propeller design supports stable flight at altitudes reaching 400 m, with an operational radius of up to 40 km and a flight endurance of approximately 40 minutes. It can carry payloads of up to 5 kg, enough to handle essential surveillance and tactical engagement tasks.
The drone integrates advanced systems including GPS navigation, autopilot, real-time communication links, and high-definition imaging capabilities—attributes that support a spectrum of missions from intelligence gathering to precision strikes. Its rifle, angled downward at roughly 45 degrees, is engineered for accuracy during hover-based attack or surveillance manoeuvres.
Meeting Nigeria’s Security Needs
Nigeria’s security landscape remains fraught with challenges, from insurgencies in the northeast to widespread banditry and kidnapping across other regions. Conventional surveillance methods have often proven insufficient. The new diesel hexacopter aims to change the paradigm by offering persistent intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities that reduce the risk to human operatives while enabling swift tactical responses.
Dr. Bright Echefu, a noted expert in defence technology, recently warned of up to 12 confirmed drone-enabled attacks on Nigerian forces between January and March 2025. He stressed that without upgraded domestic drone systems, Nigeria’s defence forces remain vulnerable.
The rifle-armed hexacopter is a direct response to this threat, offering a potent combination of surveillance and firepower from the skies. Its 40 km range and 40-minute flight time make it a formidable asset in both defensive and offensive operations.
Building the Ecosystem
The hexacopter is only one piece of a broader AFIT showcase. The institute also unveiled an unmanned hexacopter prototype, UAV-specific shock absorbers, an automatic solar tracking system, rocket-launcher circuit testing equipment, a smart mini spy vehicle, a search-and-rescue apparatus, and an unmanned ground vehicle (UGV).
These innovations reflect AFIT’s holistic vision—creating a vibrant defence-tech ecosystem rooted in Nigerian expertise, resources, and ingenuity. The effort is clearly aligned with national policies aimed at strengthening local industries and reducing dependency on foreign defence imports.
Why This Matters
This launch is about more than a single drone; it signals a strategic shift in Nigeria’s approach to military technology. By developing critical platforms like this rifle-armed hexacopter, Nigerian institutions are building their capacity from the ground up—designing, manufacturing, and owning their defence tools. This aligns with the wider industrial transformation goals, bolstered by policy commitments like the DICON Act of 2023, which promotes local military production.
General Christopher Musa, Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, previously emphasised how domestic development helps circumvent the bureaucratic delays often accompanying international procurement. Now, with tools like the hexacopter, Nigeria gains an operational land (and air) advantage: speed, sovereignty, and adaptability.
What’s Next: From Prototype to Deployment
In its current form, the hexacopter is ideal for surveillance and targeted engagement. But the path forward points toward continuous improvement—incremental enhancements to payload capacity, flight duration, autonomy, and weapons systems. We may soon see more advanced drones, loitering munitions, or modular multi-role UAVs rolled out through AFIT and collaborators like Briech UAS, Terrahaptix, and DICON.
From an academic viewpoint, AFIT’s achievement offers an inspiring case study for defence research institutions worldwide. It underscores the broad development potential: not only can such research cultivate strategic defence assets, but it can also strengthen STEM capacity, stimulate private sector involvement, and elevate Nigeria’s standing in the global aerospace community.
Conclusion
The unveiling of the rifle-armed hexacopter is a defining moment in Nigeria’s defence narrative. It demonstrates what local engineers can achieve when policy, passion, and ingenuity converge. Designed and built in Lagos, carrying a rifle and a mission, the drone offers more than surveillance—it offers sovereignty.
With every grilling of its rotors and the whir of its electric motors, this Made‑in‑Nigeria rifle‑armed hexacopter drone tells a story of resilience, ambition, and aspiration: Nigeria is ready to design, build, and defend with its own hands. That’s a paradigm shift, not just for this country, but for the continent.
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