" In a few years, Nigeria will become “by far, the greatest military force in Africa.”
- Yemi Osibanjo. July 2019.
Possessing a highly developed defense industrial base is a prerequisite to becoming a leading military power.
Journey so far?
These are made in Nigeria ARA II MRAPs of the Chadian army.
It is Nigeria's first defence export, exported to six African countries already, plus a European nation recently showed interest. Proof Nigeria has the capacity to produce world class defence products.
The ability of Nigeria's arms industry to domestically develop certain advanced weapon systems is still in its infancy. However if Nigeria can successfully strengthen its defense industry, it can establish itself as a African leader in cutting edge military capabilities.
Take the dramatic evolution of DICON in a 5 year span for example.
This is the IGIRIGI MRAP. Unveilled in in 2012, the IGIRIGI represents the Nigerian army's first attempt at joining the league of amoured vehicle producing nations, and achieve self sufficiency.
Five years later in 2017, the Nigerian army unveils the EZEGWU Mine Resistant Armoured Personnel Carrier (MRAP).
Twelve months later in 2018, the Nigerian army unveilled an improved version of the EZEGWU MRAP.
In 2019 a new and vastly improved iteration of the EZEGWU is unveilled. It features twin remote control weapons station, and an IED deflecting V shaped hull.
At the same time, in a move that displayed the creativity of Nigerian army engineers, frontline units are running a parallel program producing MRAPs smack right in the frontlines by fusing pre-existing APCs into truck chasis, with little care about aesthetics.
The result?...
...an intimidating looking behemoth aptly named " CONQUEROR".
Enter 2020. The army unveills an entirely new class of EZEGWU MRAPs. The best MRAP ever produced by the army thus far.
You will be tempted to think it doesnt get better than this.......
ENTER 2021. The Nigerian army yet again unveills its most sophisticated and aesthetically pleasing iteration of the EZEGWU MRAP so far.
Since 2016 the Nigerian government has made military self sufficiency among its top priority. It launched organizational reforms to spur innovation and competition within Nigeria'a defence industry.
The Nigerian army is NOT numero uno in this field...
That title belongs to PROFOCE, Nigeria's foremost supplier of amoured vehicles and a wide spectrum of defence solutions.
Competition spurrs innovation. The army's competition with Proforce for lucrative deals has uncharacteristically spurred innovate in the Nigerian army and improve the quality of its amoured vehicles if it wants to compete with the private sector.
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