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Chennar said the partnership with Eagles International for Defence Systems would facilitate the transfer of advanced defence technologies to Nigeria and enable the country to manufacture a wider range of military platforms locally.
KaNo—
Nigeria is intensifying efforts to strengthen its indigenous defence industry as the Federal Government moves to establish local production lines for armoured vehicles, anti-drone systems, ammunition and other specialised military hardware.
The initiative is being pursued through the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria-D7G in partnership with Eagles International for Defence Systems, following a high-level visit by the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, and a Nigerian defence delegation to key military production facilities in Egypt.
The partnership is expected to promote technology transfer, expand domestic manufacturing capacity, create jobs and reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported military equipment.
The Chief Executive Officer of DICON-D7G, Osman Chennar, disclosed the details in a statement following the two-day inspection tour of defence factories and military production facilities in Cairo and Suez.
Chennar said the partnership with Eagles International for Defence Systems would facilitate the transfer of advanced defence technologies to Nigeria and enable the country to manufacture a wider range of military platforms locally.
Initiative To Create 200 Jobs
He said the initiative was expected to create more than 200 jobs while also providing employment opportunities for about 100 retired military personnel.
According to him, the partnership would contribute to the development of a sustainable Nigerian defence manufacturing ecosystem capable of designing, assembling and producing equipment for the Nigerian Armed Forces and potentially other African countries.
Other platforms include 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.
Nigeria Seeks To Strengthen Armed Forces
The proposed local production programme comes at a time when Nigeria is seeking to strengthen the capacity of its Armed Forces to respond to persistent security challenges, including terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other forms of violent crime.
The Nigerian Army has increasingly received locally manufactured armoured vehicles as part of broader efforts to promote indigenous defence production and improve the mobility and protection of troops deployed in operational theatres.
Beyond the manufacture of armoured vehicles and other military platforms, Nigeria is also exploring cooperation with Egypt in the production of ammunition.
Discussions focused on areas of mutual interest, particularly the possibility of establishing an ammunition production line in Nigeria through structured technical and industrial cooperation.
Both sides expressed interest in advancing the proposed collaboration and working towards formal agreements that would provide the framework for implementation.
Defence Minister Visits Egypt Minister Of Defence
The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, said the Egyptian visit was strategic and developmental rather than focused on immediate procurement of military equipment.
He said such partnerships would strengthen Nigeria’s indigenous production capacity, develop specialised technical expertise, expand local content and facilitate the transfer of relevant defence technologies and industrial knowledge.
The Nigerian delegation comprised representatives from the Ministry of Defence, Defence Headquarters, Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Air Force, Office of the National Security Adviser, Defence Intelligence Agency and DICON.
On the first day of the visit, the delegation toured the manufacturing facilities of Eagle International for Defence Systems Company in Suez.
The Nigerian team inspected a range of defence systems and equipment manufactured by the Egyptian company and received first-hand exposure to its production processes and industrial capabilities.
For Nigeria, the proposed collaboration is expected to go beyond the acquisition or assembly of military equipment.
Officials say the long-term objective is to develop local expertise and industrial infrastructure that will allow Nigeria to design, manufacture, maintain and upgrade critical military platforms within the country.
Such a strategy could also reduce the time and resources required to obtain spare parts and technical support from foreign manufacturers, particularly during prolonged military operations.
Chennar also disclosed plans by DICON-D7G to develop a dedicated military jetty in Lagos to support the movement of raw materials, components and finished military equipment.
According to him, the facility would serve as a strategic logistics hub for the supply and distribution of military equipment within Nigeria and across the African continent.
He said the military jetty was expected to be launched within the next two to three months.
“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,” he said.
The proposed jetty is expected to complement the manufacturing facilities by providing dedicated logistics infrastructure for the movement of defence-related materials and equipment.
The broader defence-industrial strategy also has potential economic implications for Nigeria.
By increasing domestic production, a larger share of government expenditure on military hardware could be retained within the Nigerian economy. The initiative could also encourage the development of specialised skills in engineering, manufacturing, fabrication, electronics, logistics and other technical fields.
In addition, the establishment of local production lines could create opportunities for Nigerian private-sector companies to participate in the defence supply chain.
The Federal Government has repeatedly identified indigenous defence manufacturing as an important component of its national security strategy, particularly as the country confronts complex and evolving security threats.
A stronger domestic defence industry could provide the Armed Forces with more reliable access to equipment tailored to Nigeria’s operational requirements.
It could also position the country as a potential supplier of military equipment to other African nations facing similar security challenges.
The Egyptian partnership is therefore being viewed as part of a wider effort to translate Nigeria’s ambition for defence self-reliance into practical industrial capacity.
Since his appointment, Matawalle has maintained that Nigeria needs a modern and robust military-industrial complex capable of supporting the Armed Forces while promoting technological development and economic growth.
The initiative is aligned with the Federal Government’s broader Renewed Hope Agenda, which places emphasis on national security, economic development, indigenous innovation and technological advancement.
The Ministry of Defence described the visit to Egypt as another step towards achieving these objectives, expressing confidence that the emerging areas of cooperation would produce long-term strategic benefits for both countries.
If successfully implemented, the planned production lines for armoured vehicles, anti-drone systems and ammunition could mark a significant shift in Nigeria’s approach to military procurement.