The Defence Industries Cooperation of Nigeria (DICON), says it is collaborating with some universities and defence related industries in the production of military hardware.
The Director General of DICON, Maj.-Gen Victor Ezugwu, stated this on Thursday in Kaduna during a visit by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Tukur Buratai.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) report that Ezugwu, who was appointed a year ago, said that the collaboration has been yielding positive results.
He said that the focus of the collaboration was to leverage local content to manufacture military equipment.
The DICON D-G listed the institutions and indigenous companies to include, Imperium Industries Limited, Brooksides International Nigeria Limited, PROFORCE Limited, Equipment Protective Application International Limited and the Nigerian Army Command Engineering Depot.
Others are Nigerian Defence Academy, Greenfield University, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, National Metallurgical Development Centre Jos, Air Force Institute of Technology and the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP).
“This collaboration is towards the actualization of indigenous military hardware production. Nevertheless, promising foreign collaborative efforts have also been encouraged and sustained.”
He highlighted some significant achievements stemming from the collaborations to include “the production of military hardware such as the EZUGWU MRAP, Tactical, Combat Vehicles and other defence related items.”
Other successes recorded were in the production of Ballistic Vests, Helmets, Boots and other defence related items.
Ezegwu also said that he was able to restore production lines for the manufacturing of ammunitions and High Power pistols, among others.
He added that DICON has also established an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle workshop, successfully conducted ground breaking ceremony of DICON-SUR Corporate Wear Nigeria Limited, and commenced construction of the garment factory at DICON Ordinance factory.
Ezuguw said DICON is becoming self-reliant in its production capacity with support from the Army Chief.
“The Chief of Defence Staff and President Muhammadu have in no small measure taken DICON to an enviable height which has in turn enhanced production and in whole brought about positive changes to this renowned military industrial complex,” he added.
