Nigeria is stepping up its drive for self-reliance in military hardware, with plans underway to establish local production lines for armoured vehicles, anti-drone systems, and other specialised defence equipment.
Driven by the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria–D7G (DICON-D7G) in partnership with Eagles International for Defence Systems, the initiative aims to boost local manufacturing, enhance technology transfer, and curb reliance on foreign suppliers.
Beyond manufacturing, plans are also in motion to build a dedicated military jetty in Lagos within the next two to three months. Serving as a strategic logistics hub to transport raw materials and finished hardware, the project promises significant job creation.
Chief Executive Officer of DICON-D7G, Mr Osman Chennar, stated: “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.”
The broader strategy aims to build a sustainable, indigenous defence ecosystem capable of designing, assembling, and manufacturing military equipment locally.
Key assets targeted under the deal include the Armoured Multi-Purpose Vehicle BR6, MRAP-Buffalo models, Rhino Guard GXR anti-drone vehicles, BMP-2 Infantry Fighting Vehicles, mortar launchers, and medical evacuation cabins. The effort builds on momentum from the Nigerian Army, which already receives domestically produced armoured vehicles to enhance operational capacity.
This announcement follows a two-day inspection of Egyptian production facilities in Cairo by Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, and his delegation. Chennar confirmed that the main joint venture would directly generate more than 200 civilian jobs alongside roles for around 100 military veterans.
By keeping defence spending within the domestic economy and developing specialised technical skills, the initiative is set to yield significant economic benefits. Ultimately, the partnership aims to ensure Nigeria can independently sustain its armed forces during prolonged operations while positioning the country as a primary military equipment supplier across Africa.