FG unveils armoured vehicle for combat operations, assures sustained partnership with local military hardware manufacturers

2026-01-29 - 14:54

By Kingsley Omonobi The Federal Government on Thursday declared that partnership between the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) and local firms involved in production of military hardware, equipment and vehicles, to boost counter-terrorism and anti-banditry operations would be sustained. Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle, made this known while unveiling Daikon X-Shield Light Tactical Armoured Vehicle soon to be inducted into military operations against various security threats alongside a range of civilian armoured vehicles designed and produced in Nigeria. Represented by the Director General of DICON, Major General Babatunde Alaya, the minister said, “In a sector where position, safety, and reliability are non-negotiable, X-Shield has demonstrated exceptional expertise, spanning advanced vehicle armour, ballistic engineering, systems integration, quality assurance, and lifecycle maintenance. “These capabilities are not easily acquired. They are earned through years of focused investment, continuous learning, and uncompromising commitment to standards. “The vehicles which we are unveiling today reflect the depth of competence. It is designed for the realities of modern operations, which include mobility, protection, adaptability, and survivability, while remaining cost-effective and suitable for local production and sustainment. “Equally commendable is X-Shield’s work in the civilian armoured vehicle space, addressing the growing demand for protected mobility by government institutions, private sector operators, very important persons, and high-risk professionals,” he said. He said DICON’s partnership with X-Shield represents a model where public institutions and private industry collaborate to create value that is operationally relevant, economically viable, and nationally beneficial. “This partnership delivers multiple dividends. It strengthens Nigeria’s defence industrial base. It creates skilled jobs and transfers technical knowledge. It conserves foreign exchange by localising production, and importantly, it opens pathways for export and regional leadership in defence manufacturing,” he said. While commending the leadership and technical teams of X-Shield for their discipline, professionalism, and unwavering focus on excellence, Matawalle said, “Your work exemplifies what is possible when Nigerian companies choose to build rather than import, to innovate rather than to imitate, and to compete without compromising. “As we move forward, DICON, Defence Industrial Corporation of Nigeria, remains committed to deepening partnerships of this nature that align national interests with industrial growth and commercial sustainability.” He reaffirmed that the future of Nigeria’s defence and security capability will be built at home by Nigerian hands through trusted partnerships such as the one we celebrate today. “I congratulate X-Shield on this significant milestone and wish you continuous success as a strategic partner of the Defence Industrial Corporation of Nigeria. “Today’s unveiling signifies the successful convergence of security needs, indigenous capabilities, industrial expertise, and commercial opportunity. “The Defence Industry Corporation of Nigeria was established with a clear mandate to drive indigenous defence manufacturing, reduce reliance on foreign supply chains, and position Nigeria as a credible producer of military and security equipment. “That mandate cannot be achieved in isolation. It requires strategic partnerships with organisations that possess not only technical skill, but discipline, vision, and long-term commitment. X-Shield has proven itself to be such a worthy partner,” he said. In his remarks, Mr Charles Ibanga, CEO of DICON X Shield, said, “Our collaboration with the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria is both strategic and commercially sound. Most importantly, it demonstrates how public institutions and private enterprise can work together to build scalable, bankable, and globally competitive defence manufacturing ventures.” According to data from the National Bureau of Statistics, in the last quarter of 2023 alone, Nigeria’s spending on armoured vehicles exceeded its spending on fuel. The country imported over 4.06 trillion worth of armoured vehicles. “Compared to N1.81 trillion spent on petrol, a difference of N3.25 trillion, with armoured vehicles accounting for 35.87% of total imports. These figures clearly underscore the urgent need for local manufacturing, sustainment, and MRO capabilities. “We are particularly proud that X-SHIELD today stands as a symbol of the future of Nigeria’s Armoured Mobility and defence industrial ecosystem. “As a company, we see significant potential to support government agencies, law enforcement, critical institutions, private individuals, businesses, and multinational corporations with advanced armoured vehicle solutions and professional MRO services,” he said. He commended President Bola Tinubu, Matawalle, the Director General of DICON, and the entire DICON management team for their confidence and support, adding, “We remain fully committed to delivering platforms that meet operational requirements while adhering to global standards.”