ARCO Aviation, Navy Boost Drone Capability As 5 Officers Complete Training

ARCO Aviation Academy and the Nigerian Navy have strengthened the country’s drone capability after five naval officers graduated from the academy’s defence-focused unmanned aerial systems (UAS) training on 26 May 2026.

The five officers completed the sixth cohort of the joint training programme, which provides specialised instruction in drone operations, surveillance technology and mission‑relevant UAS protocols.

The academy said the officers formed the sixth cohort of the joint programme and that trainers with operational drone experience led practical and theoretical modules tailored to the Navy’s intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance needs. It added that participants had praised the “quality and depth” of instruction and the professionalism of the faculty.

Representatives of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) were reported to have overseen the graduation check ride.

The academy named the NCAA officials as Capt. Raphael Akinsete, Engr. Ebitie Charles and SFO. O. Kukoyi, and said their presence underlined the regulatory oversight and professional standards applied to the programme.

ARCO Aviation said the successful completion of a sixth consecutive cohort reinforced the partnership’s role in building the Navy’s operational and strategic readiness and positioned the academy as a regular provider of classified and operationally sensitive UAS training for military personnel.

It added that the collaboration expanded the programme’s scope to other branches of the armed forces and introduced advanced modules, such as counter‑drone measures and AI‑integrated surveillance training.

The academy said unmanned aerial systems were increasingly central to maritime security — from coastal surveillance to rapid response — and described the graduating cohort as “an investment in Nigeria’s aerial defence capability and in the operational competence of its naval personnel.”

Participants gave positive feedback on the depth of instruction, the practical training methodology, and the professionalism of the academy’s faculty.

The collaboration positions the academy as a regular provider of classified and operationally sensitive UAS training for military personnel, and organisers said it creates scope to expand the programme to other branches of the armed forces and to introduce advanced modules, including counter‑drone and AI‑integrated surveillance training.

Unmanned aerial systems are increasingly central to maritime security, from coastal surveillance to rapid response. The completed cohort, organisers said, represents an investment in Nigeria’s aerial defence capability and in the operational competence of its naval personnel.

ARCO Aviation Academy is licensed by the NCAA and offers a range of RPAS courses, including VLOS and BVLOS training and structured on‑the‑job programmes for commercial and military operators.