Nigeria is on the verge of a significant milestone as it prepares to commence the local production of military-grade ammunition through a groundbreaking partnership with a renowned Chinese defense company. This strategic collaboration, announced by Minister of State for Defence Bello Matawalle during an official visit to China, encompasses the establishment of production lines for various types of ammunition and the servicing of military equipment. This initiative represents a crucial step towards bolstering Nigeria’s defense capabilities and enhancing its self-reliance in the defense sector.
The partnership stemmed from a pivotal meeting following a visit by a senior delegation from China’s North Industries Corporation (Norinco) to Abuja in March. This visit marked a pivotal moment in strengthening defense ties between China and Nigeria, with a focus on fostering collaboration in defense technology and manufacturing. The Minister highlighted that the primary objective of the engagement was to formalize a partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Chinese firm and the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON).
Under the MoU, the Chinese company has committed to facilitating the transfer of cutting-edge defense technology to Nigeria, establishing local manufacturing facilities for advanced military equipment, and supporting technical knowledge exchange to enhance the skills of Nigerian personnel. Additionally, the collaboration will encompass the maintenance and upgrading of existing military hardware, servicing of battle tanks, and provision of military engineering services.
One of the key aspects of the partnership is the construction of new production lines for various types of ammunition, including 7.62×51mm ball cartridges, 7.62×51mm blank cartridges, 9×19mm pistol cartridges, and machine gun ammunition. Furthermore, manufacturing workshops and facilities will be established in Kaduna and Kachia, Kaduna State, for the production of essential defense components such as brass casings and bullet jackets.
In a parallel effort to enhance its defense capabilities, Nigeria is also focusing on strengthening its air defense systems through collaborations with Chinese defense contractors. A recent visit by a Nigerian delegation led by Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar to China resulted in discussions with key defense contractors, including China Electronics Technology Group Corporation (CETC) and China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO). The discussions centered on advanced technologies to support Nigeria’s Military Total Radar Coverage (MTRACON) initiative, with a particular focus on defense systems such as high-energy laser counter-drone technologies and the Sky Dragon air defense system.
China’s involvement in Africa’s defense sector has been steadily expanding through initiatives such as the Peace Unity-2024 project, which aims to enhance the capacity of African nations to address regional security challenges. By offering military training, joint exercises, and defense equipment, China is playing a significant role in helping African countries build self-reliant security frameworks. The recent agreement between China and Nigeria to produce military ammunition locally exemplifies China’s growing influence in Africa’s defense sector and its commitment to strengthening relationships with key African countries while increasing its presence in regional security matters. This partnership signifies a new era of collaboration and advancement in Nigeria’s defense industry, paving the way for enhanced defense capabilities and self-sufficiency in military production.
