Nigeria is intensifying efforts to reduce its longstanding dependence on imported military equipment as the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON-D7G) advances plans to establish local production lines for armoured vehicles, anti-drone systems and other specialised defence equipment.
The initiative, being developed in partnership with Eagles International for Defence Systems, is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s indigenous defence manufacturing capacity, promote technology transfer, create employment opportunities and improve the country’s ability to respond to emerging security threats.
The development was disclosed in a statement signed by the Chief Executive Officer of DICON-D7G, Mr Osman Chennar, following a two-day inspection tour of defence factories and military production facilities in Cairo by the Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Mohammed Matawalle, and his delegation.
During the visit, the Nigerian delegation inspected various defence production systems and military platforms being considered for local manufacturing as part of ongoing efforts to expand the country’s domestic defence-industrial capabilities.
Chennar said the partnership with Eagles International for Defence Systems would facilitate the transfer of advanced military technologies to Nigeria while establishing production lines capable of manufacturing a wide range of military platforms locally.
He said the long-term objective was not only to meet the equipment requirements of the Nigerian Armed Forces but also to position Nigeria as a potential exporter of defence equipment to other African countries.
According to him, the initial phase of the collaboration is expected to create employment for more than 200 workers. It will also provide opportunities for about 100 retired military personnel whose technical knowledge and operational experience could be deployed within the emerging defence-industrial sector.
Among the platforms being considered for local production are the Armoured Multi-Purpose Vehicle BR6, a modular multi-mission defence platform; Armoured Personnel Carrier cabins; 120mm manual mortar launcher cabins; and specialised medical evacuation and ambulance cabins.
The proposed production portfolio also includes 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.
The move comes as Nigeria continues to face significant security challenges, including terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other asymmetric threats that have placed sustained operational demands on the country’s Armed Forces.
The Nigerian Army has already begun taking delivery of locally manufactured armoured vehicles, indicating a gradual shift towards developing a domestic defence production chain and reducing the country’s reliance on foreign procurement.
Beyond the manufacture of military platforms, DICON-D7G is also planning the development of a dedicated military jetty in Lagos as part of efforts to strengthen the logistics infrastructure supporting Nigeria’s emerging defence-industrial complex.
Chennar said the proposed jetty would serve as a strategic logistics and distribution hub for the movement of raw materials, components and finished military equipment within Nigeria and, potentially, to other parts of Africa.
He said the facility was also expected to generate significant employment opportunities, including positions for more than 200 retired military personnel and over 1,000 civilians once it becomes operational.
The expansion of indigenous defence production could have wider implications for both Nigeria’s economy and national security. It could reduce the country’s exposure to foreign supply disruptions, keep a greater proportion of defence spending within the domestic economy, develop specialised technical skills and strengthen industrial capacity needed to support military operations over extended periods.
The DICON-D7G and Eagles International partnership is therefore being positioned as more than an equipment procurement arrangement. It represents an effort to develop a sustainable Nigerian defence-industrial ecosystem capable of assembling, manufacturing and maintaining critical military platforms locally.
If successfully implemented, the initiative could also strengthen Nigeria’s position as a regional defence manufacturing hub and create opportunities for the country to participate more actively in the growing African defence market.
