DICON-D7G: Nigeria’s armoured, anti-drone production to increase self-sufficiency

Nigeria is intensifying efforts to develop a self-reliant military-industrial base, with the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria–D7G (DICON-D7G) advancing plans to establish local production lines for armoured vehicles, anti-drone systems and other specialised military hardware.

The initiative, being implemented through a partnership between DICON-D7G and Eagles International for Defence Systems, is expected to enhance technology transfer, expand domestic manufacturing capacity and create hundreds of jobs, while reducing Nigeria’s dependence on imported defence equipment.

As part of the collaboration, a two-day inspection tour of factories and military production facilities in Cairo was conducted by the Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Mohammed Matawalle, and his delegation.

Chief Executive Officer of DICON-D7G, Mr Osman Chennar, stated that the partnership is expected to create employment for over 200 workers, in addition to providing opportunities for approximately 100 retired military personnel.

“The team assessed equipment and production systems intended to support Nigeria’s expanding defence manufacturing objectives,” he said.

He added that the arrangement would establish production lines capable of facilitating the transfer of advanced military technologies to Nigeria, positioning the country to manufacture a broader range of equipment for its armed forces and potentially supply other African markets.

The platforms targeted under the partnership include the Armoured Multi-Purpose Vehicle BR6, a modular multi-mission defence platform, an Armoured Personnel Carrier cabin, a 120mm manual mortar launcher cabin, and medical evacuation and ambulance cabins.

The portfolio also features the MRAP-Buffalo U.10 and M.12 armoured vehicles, MRAP-Buffalo F-4, Rhino Guard GXR anti-drone and RPG-protected vehicle, APC Moon PT6 and GXR Phantom light vehicle, as well as the BMP-2 Infantry Fighting Vehicle.

The planned expansion aligns with Nigeria’s broader push to strengthen indigenous defence production.

The Nigerian Army has also begun receiving locally manufactured armoured vehicles.

The initiative extends beyond vehicles and weapons systems. DICON-D7G is also developing a dedicated military jetty in Lagos to strengthen the logistics chain supporting local defence production by facilitating the movement of raw materials, components and finished military equipment.

Mr Chennar said plans were underway for the development of the facility, which is expected to serve as a strategic hub for the supply and distribution of military equipment within Nigeria and across other African countries.

“For Nigeria, the emerging defence-industrial strategy carries implications beyond military procurement.

“Increased local production could reduce reliance on foreign suppliers, retain defence expenditure within the domestic economy, develop specialised technical skills and build an industrial base capable of sustaining the armed forces during prolonged security operations.

“The DICON-D7G/Eagles partnership is therefore being positioned not merely as an equipment supply arrangement, but as part of a broader effort to build a sustainable Nigerian defence manufacturing ecosystem, one capable of designing, assembling and producing platforms required by the military while eventually serving wider African markets,” he said in a statement on Sunday.

Mr Chennar highlighted that DICON-D7G had planned the launch of its Military Jetty in Lagos, which would provide employment to over 200 retired military personnel and more than 1,000 civilians when the project takes off in the next two to three months.