The Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria says it is partnering with a firm, D7G, to bolster the production of various aspects of defence production and manufacturing.

“We have a strong partnership with D7G and the essence of the partnership is to take indigenous production to the next level. We are talking of ammunition production, we are talking of weapon production, we are talking of manufacturing of vehicles and drones.

“We have started and we are trying to work out the modalities. We have a plan of action already. So, we are trying to establish timelines for each phase so that in one year, two years to come, we know that we have started manufacturing locally,” said DICON director-general Babatunde Alaya on Tuesday in Kaduna.

D7G CEO Osman Chennar said the key objective of the partnership is to set up assembly plants for arms, vehicles, drones, and other defence equipment.

Mr Chennar said production lines for AK-47 rifles, ammunition, and other critical defence products would soon be established.

He also said there would be training for the personnel on routine work at the assembly and production lines.

Mr Chennar said, “In the arms assembly, AK-47, AK-103 rifles, sniper rifles, pistols, and grenade launchers would be produced. In the vehicle assembly, we will be assembling 4×4 and 6×6 MRAPS and APCS vehicles.

“A drone assembly will also be set to set up for the production of UAVs, drones, and anti-drones.”

(NAN)