Nigeria will start large-scale native manufacturing of defence {hardware} throughout the subsequent 12 months to satisfy home army necessities and export apparatus to different African nations, the Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, has stated.
Mr Musa disclosed this in a commentary on Tuesday following the maiden Africa Global Defence Exhibition (AFRIDEX), which introduced in combination African governments, army establishments, defence producers and era innovators.
He stated the deliberate manufacturing would fortify Nigeria’s efforts to scale back dependence on imported army apparatus and reinforce its home defence production capability.
“Throughout the subsequent 12 months, Nigeria will start large-scale native manufacturing of defence {hardware} to satisfy home necessities and fortify exports to different African nations,” Mr Musa stated.
“That is a very powerful step in opposition to construction a self-reliant defence trade, strengthening our nationwide safety and positioning Nigeria as a contributor to Africa’s defence production capability.”
The minister stated the federal government was once pursuing native manufacturing of army apparatus, guns, ammunition and different very important defence techniques via funding, era switch, analysis and collaboration with global producers.
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He stated the Defence Industries Company of Nigeria (DICON) was once central to efforts to make bigger home production capability and convey apparatus required through the Nigerian Armed Forces.
PREMIUM TIMES stories that Nigeria lately imports maximum of its army {hardware} from nations reminiscent of the USA, France, Italy and China.
Mr Musa stated AFRIDEX would additionally supply alternatives for Nigeria to deepen bilateral and multilateral safety members of the family, alternate experience and determine partnerships geared toward addressing safety demanding situations around the continent.
The exhibition lined land, air, maritime, area and cyber safety, with a focal point on connecting Africa’s safety necessities with the era, experience, funding and commercial capability had to deal with them.
The minister thanked President Bola Tinubu for supporting indigenous defence manufacturing and projects geared toward strengthening nationwide safety.
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