Oct. 6, 2013. NNS THUNDER, first Nigerian warship to visit Australia, or Asia – RAN.
Image by Kookaburra2011
6707. As a first visit, the arrival of the 3,250 ton Nigerian off-shore patrol ship, or frigate, NNS THUNDER was probably the most exotic arrival for the RAN’s centenary 2013 International Fleet Review, coming all the way from West Africa.
The former Hamilton Class U.S. Coastguard high endurance cutter USCGC CHASE, she was first commissioned in 1968, and was gifted to Nigeria on her decommissioning in 2011.
She collided with a vessel owned by the French oil company Total SA in Nigeria’s Bonny River in March 2012, but was apparently not seriously damaged.
Her voyage is regarded as historic in her home country, being the Nigerian Navy’s first visit not only to Australia but also the Asia-Pacific region. Prior to THUNDER’s departure President Goodluck Jonathon wished her well on her journey. While en route a press statement was issued by the spokesman of the Nigerian Navy, Commodore Kabiru Aliyu in Abuja. According to the statement reported in the Nigerian newspaper ‘Leadership’ Commodore Aliyu disclosed that the visit was part of the diplomatic role of the Nigerian Navy, “NNS THUNDER, has been conducting flag showing visits en route Australia, thereby showcasing Nigeria’s naval prowess and potential in furtherance of the nation’s foreign policy objectives," he said.
"Notably, the Nigerian Navy is the only African Navy participating at the event.
“This implies that NNS THUNDER will not only be flying Nigeria’s flag at the event but also lay credence to Nigeria’s leadership role in the security calculus of the African continent and, therefore, reinforce her quest for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council."
The news report said that NNS THUNDER departed for Australia from Calabar on Aug. 8, 2013, after an elaborate farewell ceremony and was expected to return to Nigeria on Dec. 18, 2013.
She made port calls on her outbound journey to Luanda [Angola], Cape Town [South Africa] and Port Louis [Mauritius].
The history of the Nigerian Navy traces back to 1914, and it is one of the largest navies on the African continent. The giant West African nation’s Navy presently operates two frigate type vessels including THUNDER, four corvettes, nine fast attack patrol boats , four patrol cutters [also ex-US Coast Guard], two amphibious ro-ro tank landing ships, two minesweepers and a large number of other inshore vessels.
Wikipedia’s detailed description of the Nigerian Navy and its vessels is here:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nigerian_Navy
Photo: LSIS Bradley Darvill, Navy Imagery Unit, RAN.
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