Nigeria is set to open local production lines for armoured vehicles, anti-drone platforms and other specialised military equipment in efforts to deepen indigenous defence manufacturing, the Chief Executive Officer of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria–D7G (DICON-D7G), Mr Osman Chennar, has said.

Chennar spoke while highlighting the outcome of a two-day inspection tour of factories and military production facilities in Cairo, Egypt, by a delegation led by the Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Matawalle.

He explained that the initiative, being pursued in partnership with Eagles International for Defence Systems, would facilitate technology transfer, expand Nigeria’s domestic defence manufacturing capacity and create hundreds of jobs.

He noted that the partnership would create employment for over 200 workers and provide opportunities for about 100 retired military personnel.

Adding that the team inspected various equipment and production systems that could support Nigeria’s growing defence manufacturing ambitions.

According to him, the arrangement is designed to enable Nigeria to acquire advanced defence technologies and develop the capacity to manufacture a wider range of military platforms locally, with the long-term possibility of export to other African countries.

Among the platforms targeted are the Armoured Multi-Purpose Vehicle BR6, a modular multi-mission defence platform; Armoured Personnel Carrier cabin, 120mm manual mortar launcher cabin, and medical evacuation and ambulance cabins, Chennar said.

Others 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.

The initiative comes as Nigeria intensifies efforts to reduce dependence on imported military hardware amid persistent security challenges across the country.

Chennar further noted that “the Nigerian Army has also begun receiving locally manufactured armoured vehicles as part of efforts to improve operational capacity and promote domestic defence manufacturing.”

He disclosed that DICON-D7G was also planning the development of a dedicated military jetty in Lagos to strengthen the logistics chain supporting local defence production.

The facility would facilitate the movement of raw materials, components and finished military equipment, and serve as a strategic hub for the distribution of defence equipment within Nigeria and potentially across other African countries, he stated.

According to him, the jetty project is expected to commence in about two months and could employ over 200 retired military personnel and over 1,000 civilians when fully operational.