Niger to build base for armed drones to strengthen security at border with Libya, Mali

Niger plans to build a base for armed drones to strengthen its defense and security capabilities in combating terrorism and for closely monitoring the security situation across its borders with Libya and Mali.

The planned base will be established in Tahoun, central region of the West African country, local Actu Niger newspaper reports.

The project, according to security forces, quoted by local media, is part of the fight against terrorism by shifting toward a strategy of rapid response and effective crisis management.

Local authorities last week received the first Turkish-made drones. Six drones arrived at Niamey Airport aboard two flights of an Ukrainian air cargo company on May 20 and 21.

The orders were placed after Niger’s president Mohamed Bazoum visited Turkey in March. He had then toured the company manufacturing the “Bayraktar” drone.

Niger is working to strengthen the operational capabilities of its defense and security forces in order to deal with the security threats it faces, particularly on its borders with Libya, Nigeria, Mali, and Burkina Faso.