The Ministry of Defence is very conscious of the need to be more indigenous in Defence production to reduce the country’s dependence on foreign equipment.
The Minister of Defence Major General Bashir Salihi Magashi revealed this in an interview with Journalists in his office.
The Minister said that the Defence Industries Cooperation of Nigeria (DICON) has attained new levels of production capabilities with the production of the EZUGWU APCs, which were the first indigenous combat vehicles designed and built by DICON.
General Magashi further remarked that DICON has recently established a Military and Para-Military Clothing and Accessories Factory in Kaduna which has the potential of creating about 1000 direct employment for its citizens.
The Minister stated that apart from the new developments in DICON, the Tri-Services have been involved in research, design and manufacturing at their various levels.
“The Nigerian Navy Dockyard Lagos has been involved in the design and construction of Seaward Defence Boats and Houseboats. The third Seaward Defence Boat was commissioned into the Navy in December 2021” he said.
Magashi said that the Nigerian Air Force through the Air Force Research and Development Centre and the Air Force Institute of Technology have been involved in the modification of several aircrafts parts as well as research into Unmanned Aerial Vehicles.
Ituke Patience N
For: Director (Press)
