Nigeria is stepping up efforts to expand its domestic defence manufacturing capacity, with plans to establish local production lines for armoured vehicles, anti-drone systems and other specialised military equipment.
The Punch reported that the initiative is being pursued by the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria–D7G in collaboration with Eagles International for Defence Systems, with the aim of promoting technology transfer, creating jobs and reducing the country’s reliance on imported military hardware.
The Chief Executive Officer of DICON-D7G, Osman Chennar, disclosed this after a two-day inspection tour of factories and military production facilities in Cairo, Egypt, led by the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle.
According to Chennar, the partnership is expected to generate more than 200 jobs and create employment opportunities for about 100 retired military personnel.
He said, “The partnership is expected to create employment for over 200 workers, in addition to providing opportunities for approximately 100 retired military personnel.”
Chennar explained that the agreement would facilitate the transfer of advanced defence technologies to Nigeria, allowing the country to manufacture a broader range of military platforms for its armed forces and potentially supply other African countries.
The proposed production lines will cover several platforms, including the Armoured Multi-Purpose Vehicle BR6, Armoured Personnel Carrier cabin, 120mm manual mortar launcher cabin, medical evacuation and ambulance cabins.
Other targeted platforms are the MRAP-Buffalo U.10 and M.12 armoured vehicles, MRAP-Buffalo F-4, Rhino Guard GXR anti-drone and RPG-protected vehicle, APC Moon PT6, GXR Phantom light vehicle and BMP-2 Infantry Fighting Vehicle.
Chennar said the initiative formed part of a wider plan to establish a sustainable Nigerian defence-industrial ecosystem capable of designing, assembling and manufacturing military equipment locally.
The development comes as the Nigerian Army continues to take delivery of locally manufactured armoured vehicles as part of efforts to improve its operational capabilities and strengthen indigenous defence production.
Beyond manufacturing, DICON-D7G is also working on a military jetty in Lagos that would facilitate the movement of raw materials, components and finished defence equipment.
The facility is expected to function as a strategic logistics centre for distributing military equipment within Nigeria and potentially across Africa.
Chennar said the military jetty is expected to be launched within the next two to three months.
According to him, “DICON-D7G has planned the launching of its military jetty in Lagos that will provide employment to over 200 retired military personnel with over 1,000 civilians when the project takes off in the next two to three months.”
The planned expansion of Nigeria’s defence manufacturing capacity could also boost the domestic economy by keeping more defence spending within the country, while developing specialised technical skills and reducing dependence on foreign suppliers.
DICON-D7G said the production facilities would ultimately help Nigeria maintain supplies for its armed forces during prolonged security operations while positioning the country to participate more actively in the African defence market.
