In a significant move to bolster security operations in Nigeria's vital energy sector, the American defence contractor Textron Systems has finalised an agreement to provide advanced unmanned aircraft to a leading private security firm. The deal, announced by the company, will see three Aerosonde Mk. 4.7 Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) delivered to Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL).
Details of the Landmark Security Contract
The contract was formalised in a statement released by Textron Systems and dated December 29, 2025. The company highlighted that the drone systems will be supplied in a configuration free from International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) restrictions, simplifying their export. The Aerosonde Mk. 4.7 is a hybrid quadrotor system, meaning it can take off and land vertically like a helicopter without needing a runway, then transition to efficient fixed-wing flight for extended missions.
David Phillips, the Senior Vice President of Air, Land and Sea Systems at Textron, emphasised the capability the drones would bring. He described the Aerosonde as a "mature, highly reliable, and industry-proven autonomous solution" that would provide Tantita with transformational capability for its security operations. The contract also includes options for Tantita to purchase additional aircraft and receive training support to expand its operational readiness.
Enhancing Protection for Critical National Assets
The primary mission for these sophisticated drones will be to safeguard Nigeria's oil and gas infrastructure, which has long been vulnerable to disruptions in the Niger Delta region. Textron stated that the sale represents a significant enhancement for security operations in Nigeria, particularly in high-risk sectors. The Aerosonde system, with over 700,000 flight hours of global experience including deployments from U.S. Navy ships, is designed for demanding environments.
Tantita Security Services, owned by Chief Government Ekpemupolo (widely known as Tompolo), is expected to deploy the drones for a range of critical tasks. These will include:
- Persistent surveillance of pipelines and remote facilities.
- Enabling rapid response to security incidents.
- Infrastructure protection missions to improve situational awareness across the Niger Delta and other sensitive areas.
A Shift Towards Advanced Security Technology
This contract underscores a growing global trend where uncrewed systems are becoming central to national and corporate security strategies. The deal reflects a clear shift towards investing in technologically advanced solutions to protect essential economic assets. While Textron and Tantita have not publicly disclosed the exact delivery dates for the Aerosonde systems, officials from the Nigerian security company are anticipated to outline their operational deployment plans in the coming months.
The Aerosonde Mk. 4.7 VTOL UAS can carry multiple payloads, such as high-resolution cameras and sensors, making it a versatile platform for Tantita's comprehensive security mandate. This partnership between a major U.S. defence supplier and a prominent Nigerian security operator marks a notable development in the ongoing efforts to secure the country's energy resources and ensure national prosperity.
