Nigeria to build domestic armoured vehicles and anti-drone systems

The Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON-D7G) is advancing plans to establish domestic production lines for specialised military equipment, including armoured vehicles and anti-drone systems. In partnership with Eagles International for Defence Systems, the initiative aims to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported hardware, facilitate technology transfer, and expand indigenous manufacturing capacity.

Targeted platforms for local production include the Armoured Multi-Purpose Vehicle BR6, MRAP Buffalo U. 10 and M. 12, Rhino Guard GXR anti-drone vehicles, APC Moon PT6, and BMP-2 Infantry Fighting Vehicles, as well as specialised medical evacuation cabins. The project is expected to create significant employment, including over 200 workers and approximately 100 retired military personnel, with potential for thousands of civilian jobs.

As part of this expansion, DICON-D7G plans to construct a strategic military jetty in Lagos within three months to serve as a logistics hub for raw materials and finished equipment. The move follows a recent inspection of defence factories in Cairo by the Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Mohammed Matawalle. Officials noted that the Nigerian Army has already begun receiving locally manufactured armoured vehicles.