The Nigerian Government is pursuing stronger domestic defence manufacturing capacity as it seeks deeper defence industrial cooperation with the Czech Republic.
This cooperation include the areas of technology transfer and the establishment of an ammunition production line for the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria, DICON.
The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, made the push during a three-day official working visit to the Czech Republic, where he led a delegation of senior officials from the Ministry of Defence, the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria and the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure.
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Matawalle attended the Czech Air Force Day, Air Show and Defence Exhibition in Ostrava, where modern and heavy equipment produced by the Czech defence industry was displayed.
On the sidelines of the exhibition, the Minister held a bilateral meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the Czech Republic, Lieutenant General Jaromír Zuna (Rtd), with discussions focused on strengthening the existing strategic partnership between both countries.
The talks centred on expanding cooperation to enhance DICON’s manufacturing and production capabilities in military hardware.
Matawalle specifically sought Czech partnership with DICON for the establishment of an ammunition production line in Nigeria.
It also addressed the transfer of technology to Nigeria, particularly in unmanned aerial vehicles and other military hardware, as part of efforts to expand the country’s domestic defence production capabilities.
Responding, the Czech Minister of Defence expressed satisfaction with the visit and assured Matawalle of the Czech Republic’s readiness and willingness to support Nigeria in strengthening DICON’s defence production capabilities, including the requisite transfer of technology.
The Nigerian delegation is also scheduled to tour several defence and security industrial complexes across the Czech Republic as part of the visit.
