Proforce Group, a leading defence solution provider in Africa, says it is making significant contributions to enhancing local defence capabilities in Nigeria and Africa at large.
Mr Kayode Nariwo, Business Development Manager of Proforce, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.
Nariwo said the company had produced different military platforms in support of the current onslaught against terrorism and banditry in Nigeria.
He said that the Nigerian Army had recently taken delivery of several PF ARA MRAPS (Mines Resistant Ambush Protected) vehicles and a few PF VIPERS.
Nariwo added that the Defence Headquarters also took delivery of 15 PF Vipers while the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) inaugurated Proforce’s Armoured Buffalos (IACVs) Improvised Armoured Combat Vehicles.
According to him, the PF ARA is a 15 tonnes MRAP which was deployed to the North East at the peak of the war against Boko Haram in 2018 while the PF Vipers is a nine tonnes MRAPs deployed recently in the Northwest part of Nigeria.
Nariwo said that the new Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) Act was meant to provide local producers with better chances and opportunities.
He said that their expectations were high due to the fact that the nation’s military leadership made up their minds in using home-made solutions.
“This is a lesson from the war between Ukraine and Russia which places more emphasis on local solutions.
“The defence industries manufacturers have organized themselves into an association called the Defence Industries Association of Nigeria (DIAN).
“The combination of the new DICON Act and Executive Order 5 will give leverage to Local manufacturers.
“The most important thing is to make sure the platforms meet international standards.
“Another advantage for the Armed Forces is availability of spare parts and after-sales services that local manufacturers provide,’’ he said.
Nariwo said that the local defence producers were faced with the challenge of convincing the military that they had developed capacity to take on their requests as well as competing with foreign made platforms.
“We also have issues with typical infrastructure – cost of power, access to forex, etc.
“The government, through the Executive Order 5 has intervened but the political will to enforce local patronage needs to be activated.
“The government, through the DICON Act, has also ensured that local manufacturers are patronised. This concept is new and we believe it may be the game changer.
“Also, duty waiver for some military equipment was encouraged for ease of competition,” he said.
Nariwo expressed optimism on the enormous prospects for local players with the high level of buy-in of the current Service Chiefs, describing them as “Pro-Local producers”.
He said the current military leadership had encouraged local patronage.
He added that International Organisations were also willing to partner with Nigerian companies for Transfer of Technology (ToT).
According to him, the lessons learnt from the ongoing war in Ukraine and Russia have opened local consciousness.
“Local Players have a lot to gain in supplying to many African countries with Nigeria being the hub of military manufacturing in Africa,” he said