From Molly Kilete, Abuja
The Chief of Naval Staff(CNS), Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla has stressed the need for the Nigerian Navy to leverage on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies to enhance the maintenance of naval platforms and other operational activities.
The CNS stated this during the presentation of a paper by Nigerian Navy participants of Course 31, of National Defence College (NDC) titled “Artificial Intelligence and Ship Maintenance: Strategic Options for the Nigerian Navy
by 2035.
The CNS said that the use of AI is significantly transforming the maritime industry and the NN is embracing it to improve the availability of ships towards enhancing operational effectiveness. He also noted that ships were increasingly becoming sophisticated with advancement in technology and incorporation of AI and other emerging technologies in their construction.
To this end, he said the NN must continue to adopt and integrate these technologies in order to maintain a competitive edge during operations.
The CNS, who described the paper as timely as it would invigorate the NN consciousness towards AI and other emerging technologies and their implication for operational effectiveness, commended the participants’ efforts at drafting a roadmap for transforming the Navy’s maintenance system into an AI-compliant system, as well as their novel suggestion of the use of the In-Transit-Hull cleaning which would save the Navy a lot of foreign exchange from docking ships for hull cleaning.
Earlier In his address, the Commandant of the college, Rear Admiral Olumuyiwa Olotu, while noting that the presentation is an annual event under the College’s higher management of Defence package, said the choice of this year’s topic was deliberate considering that AI is an emerging technology that can enhance the Navy’s capabilities and efficiency in various aspects such as ships systems, weapons, networks and command and control, which makes the participants’ research work very germane.
He said that the strategies proffered by the participants would enhance the NN’s capabilities and operations, in line with Nigeria’s security objectives, saying the College would continue to support the Nigerian Navy in its efforts to ensuring a safe and secure maritime environment.