Northern Pulse

By Sani Idris Abdulrahman

Nigeria’s drive towards defence self-reliance has received a significant boost as DICON-D7G, an indigenous defence manufacturing company, positions itself as a strategic bridge between Nigeria and more than ten leading Turkish defence firms.

Operating within Nigeria’s expanding defence industrial ecosystem, DICON-D7G is facilitating access to Turkish companies that meet strict international quality and compliance standards in the supply of defence and aerospace materials, components and spare parts.

The Chief Executive Officer of DICON-D7G, Mr Osman Chennar, said in a statement on Monday in Kaduna that the firms were globally recognised for their expertise in military hardware production, precision Engineering and advanced defence technologies.

According to him, DICON-D7G drew on industry experts, including retired military Generals and professionals from other Nigerian security agencies.

He said that the collaboration with Nigeria’s state-owned defence industry represented a major step towards strengthening local military equipment production, maintenance and supply chains.

By leveraging Turkish defence manufacturing capabilities, he said, DICON-D7G aimed at reducing Nigeria’s dependence on foreign imports, lower long-term procurement costs and ensure faster turnaround times for the maintenance and repair of military assets.

He explained that the partnership, which had spanned from 2018 to date, was beyond the supply of finished components, with strong emphasis on technology transfer, skills development and local assembly.

This approach, he said, aligned with Nigeria’s national security objectives of indigenous capacity building and sustainable defence manufacturing.

“The role of DICON-D7G as a bridge between Nigeria and trusted Turkish defence companies is a game changer.

“It creates a structured pathway for quality-assured materials and components while laying the foundation for local production and long-term self-sufficiency,” he stated.

The Turkish companies involved included: Aselsan, TAIS Shipyard, Turkish Aerospace, Kalandor Dış Ticaret ve Savunma Sanayi Limited, MKE, Roketsan, ZSR Patlayıcı Sanayi ve Anonim Şirketi, and Ateşçi Machinery.

Chennar stressed that the firms were operating under rigorous international standards, ensuring that all supplied materials and components meet the requirements of modern defence and aerospace applications.

This, he further stressed, was expected to improve the operational readiness of Nigeria’s armed forces while boosting confidence in locally supported military systems.

“As security challenges continue to evolve across the region, the DICON-D7G initiative is seen as a timely intervention capable of repositioning Nigeria as a regional hub for defence manufacturing and maintenance.

“Beyond national security benefits, the partnership is expected to generate employment, stimulate industrial growth and deepen Nigeria’s participation in the global defence value chain,” he said.

Chennar further disclosed that all Turkish government defence procurement exports involving DICON-D7G to Nigeria were conducted through D7G Savunma Sanayi İthalat İhracat Limited Şirketi, a Turkish-registered company.(NAN)