DICON-D7G: Developing viable military industrial complex in Nigeria

BY SUMAILA OGBAJE

Nigeria’s quest for self-reliance in military hardware and technology recently received a significant boost with the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) and the D7G joint venture.

On Jan.18, 2024, DICON and D7G Limited signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a joint venture company codenamed DICON-D7G Nigeria Limited; it is aimed at meeting the defence needs of the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies.

The DICON-D7G joint venture is designed to leverage the strengths of both partners to develop a comprehensive military industrial complex in Nigeria. DICON, with its extensive experience in military hardware production, brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table.

On the other hand, D7G, a manufacturing company with its global network and access to cutting-edge technology, provides the necessary support and resources to drive innovation and growth.

The DICON-D7G joint venture has several key objectives–the development of military hardware; designing, developing and producing a range of military hardware, including small arms, ammunition and armoured vehicles.

The joint venture seeks to facilitate the transfer of technology and expertise from D7G to DICON, enabling the latter to develop its capacity for military hardware production.

The partnership also aims to build the capacity of DICON and other local industries to produce military hardware and equipment; also, the joint venture is expected to create jobs and stimulate economic growth in Nigeria.

During the inauguration of the board of DICON-D7G Board on March 19, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to reducing dependence on foreign arms procurement and enhancing Nigeria’s defence industrial base.

Musa said that Nigeria had remained committed to strengthening its defence capabilities to ensure that its gallant men and women in uniform had access to high-quality, locally manufactured military equipment, ammunition and other operational assets.

According to him, the establishment of strategic partnership between DICON and D7G Nigeria Limited, represents a bold step towards actualising the vision.

He added that the joint venture was for the production of military hardware and equipment for the armed forces, as well as for intelligence, security and paramilitary organisations.

The CDS added that the partnership with D7G would offer a unique opportunity to expand production capacity, leverage advanced technology and foster knowledge transfer that would strengthen Nigeria’s position in the global defence industry.

“The partnership we celebrate today is a testament to our resolve to build a resilient defence manufacturing sector that will meet the immediate and future needs of our military and security institutions,” he said.

On his part, the Director-General of DICON, Maj. Gen. Aniedi Edet, said the context of the collaboration with D7G was in terms of supply of defence materials and production of local defence items on the basis of 30 per cent to DICON and 70 per cent to D7G.

Edet said that the company was currently engaged in DICON with the first set of defence stock expected to arrive in DICON soon.

According to him, expected stocks include the 103 AK-47 weapons and other assorted weapons that will be assembled as soon they arrive.

He said that DICOM and D7G collaboration held great prospects for the nation’s military industrial complex, adding that D7G was one of DICON’s most viable partners.

The Chief Executive Officer of D7G, Mr Osman Chennar, said the partnership would focus on bringing new generation technology for defence capabilities in Nigeria.

He said that the industry would soon begin production of ammunition, arms assembling and bomb fit for Nigeria and all of African market.

More so, Retired Maj.-Gen. Mainasara Masanawa, Director, Land Systems, Innovation, Research and Development for DICON-D7G, said the joint venture was formed to develop Nigeria’s military industrial complex to enhance security in line with the DICON Act 2023, as well as President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda on security.

He said the firm, in collaboration with DICON, was set to establish the first military jetty in Lagos on a land covering about 160,000 square metres.

He said the jetty would be used, in addition to stocks of arms and ammunition, for assembling drones on armed aerial vehicles, unmanned aerial vehicles, 4×4 vehicles, 6×6 armoured personnel carriers and mine-resistant ambush protected vehicles.

Masanawa said the idea was also to use that opportunity to develop human capacity as the complex intended to employ skilled retired military specialists in the company.