The Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) and an indigenous firm D7G have partnered to enhance local manufacturing of military equipment, ammunition, and other operational assets for the Armed Forces and other organizations.
Speaking at the inauguration of DICON/D7G Board Nigeria Limited in Abuja on Wednesday, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, said the partnership between the two organizations will reduce dependence on foreign arms procurement by Nigeria.
“Our nation has remained committed to strengthening its defense capabilities to ensure that our gallant men and women in uniform have access to high-quality, locally manufactured military equipment, ammunition, and other operational assets.
“Consequently, the establishment of this strategic partnership between DICON and D7G Nigeria Limited represents a bold step towards actualizing this vision, reducing dependence on foreign arms procurement, and enhancing our defense industrial base,” he said.
According to him, the partnership between DICON and D7G Nigeria Limited offers a unique opportunity to expand production capacity, leverage advanced technology, and foster knowledge transfer that will strengthen Nigeria’s position in the global defense industry.
The defense chief said the dynamic and evolving security threats confronting Nigeria require strong local manufacturing of equipment to meet the immediate and future needs of the armed forces and other security agencies.
According to him: “The Armed Forces of Nigeria, alongside our intelligence and security agencies, operate in a dynamic and evolving threat environment.
“This requires not just superior strategy and professionalism but also robust indigenous capacity to develop and sustain critical defense assets.
“The partnership we celebrate today is a testament to our resolve to build a resilient defense manufacturing sector that will meet the immediate and future needs of our military and security institutions.”
General Musa commended DICON for its unwavering dedication to developing Nigeria’s defense manufacturing sector.
“Since its establishment, DICON has continued to play a vital role in domestic arms production and innovation,” he said.
Earlier in his remarks, the Director General of DICON, Maj.-Gen. Aniedi Effiong Edet, said the partnership would boost the production of local defense equipment.
He said partnership holds a great future for DICON and the military-industrial complex.
He commended the CDS for his unwavering support to DICON since assuming command of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
