From Molly Kilete, Abuja
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, said the Federal Government is rebranding Defence Industries Corporation(DICON), to standardise local production, strengthen security, and boost indigenous military capacity.
He said the new approach would ensure all companies producing defence-related equipment work under DICON, with mandatory approval from the Office of National Security Adviser and the Ministry of Defence.
The CDS, who was speaking at a briefing on the forth coming Maiden African Chiefs of Defence Staff Conference, noted that Nigeria has begun procuring armoured vehicles, drones, and other military hardwares from local firms such as : ProForce and Imperium, while also retrofitting damaged equipment to extend service life.
He said the move would not only enhance national security, but create jobs, open export markets to neighbouring countries, and instill national pride in homegrown defence capabilities.
“We want to synergise and harmonise their work, standardise it, and make sure the equipment we produce does not get into the wrong hands.
“We have the ProForce, we have the Emperium, and EPAIL. We have so many of them that also produce one or two things together.
“Now, what we are doing is, we are re-branding the entire defence industry corporation so that all companies that are coming to work on anything defense must have approval.
“Why we need to do that is so that we can synergise and harmonise their work, standardise it, and make sure that those equipment we produce do not enter into wrong hands.
The CDS, while noting that producing defence equipment locally would enhance capabilities and create employment for Nigerians, added that it would be a win-win situation for the country.”
Gen. Musa, who spoke on regional cooperation to secure the continent against asymmetric threats, which he said “do not respect borders,” emphasised the need for African countries to work together and called for stronger collaboration through the African Standby Force.
“Despite our different doctrines, we are able to work together as Africans, neighbours, brothers and sisters to achieve common security goals.”
He said that the Armed Forces were actively engaging local innovators, including young Nigerians producing drones and weapon prototypes, to develop their skills for the country’s benefit.
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