DODOMA: PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan has said that the security of the nation in the modern era can no longer be guaranteed by traditional weaponry alone, but rather through the strategic application of science, technology and high-level data analysis.
The Commander-in-Chief made the remarks yesterday during the official inauguration of the ultra-modern National Defence Headquarters, MMUT in Kikombo, Dodoma.
Dr Samia said that the nature of global threats has evolved, that while physical borders remain important, the front line is now often found in systems and data.
“The global security environment of our time is not protected by weapons alone, key tools now include the acquisition, analysis and use of information, technology and modern communication systems. These require high-level professional expertise and a scientific approach to coordination,” Dr Samia said.
She revealed that during her tour of the facility, she witnessed the initial stages of these technological integrations and promised that the upcoming two phases of construction would further prioritise these digital and analytical capabilities.
Dr Samia said that the new facility must serve as more than just an architectural landmark; it must function as a think tank for 21st-century military strategy and a symbol of Tanzania’s growing self-reliance.
Addressing a high-level delegation of military officials and government leaders, she said that the completion of the first phase of the headquarters is a clear demonstration of the nation’s capacity to handle mega-projects.
“These headquarters are a symbol of our maturity and a demonstration of our nation’s ability to plan, decide and execute major projects using our own funds and local experts,” Dr Samia said.
She added that this autonomy in execution is a vital foundation for the nation’s independence in decision-making and overall national dignity.
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However, the Head of State was quick to point out that the aesthetic beauty of the massive complex must be matched by its functional output.
She challenged the military leadership to ensure the facility is utilised as a hub for reflection and professional analysis to keep pace with global security trends. Linking the military’s role directly to the pocketbooks of Tanzanians, President
Samia connected national stability to the country’s recent economic milestones. She referenced the global rating agency, Moody’s, which recently gave Tanzania a B1 credit rating, a move that signals a positive outlook for the country’s economic future.
“The way our nation grows economically is an indicator that the state of defence and security has continued to strengthen. Without that strength, we could not have reached where we are today. No investment comes to a country without a safe and predictable environment,” she said.
She asserted that as the economy expands, increasing investment in the defence sector becomes an inevitable necessity to protect the nation’s resources and the welfare of its citizens.
Evoking the spirit of the Father of the Nation, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, she quoted his famous philosophy: ‘Moyo Kabla ya Silaha’ literally translating to the ‘Heart Before the Weapon’.
She reminded the officers that the most sophisticated building or the most advanced drone is useless without a disciplined soldier.
“The strength of the military does not come from buildings or equipment alone. The foundation of a strong military is a patriotic heart, discipline, professionalism and the loyalty of its soldiers to the nation and its people,” she said.
Dr Samia urged the troops to remain faithful to their constitutional oaths and avoid any conduct that might tarnish the military’s esteemed reputation.