By Agatha Odeh
The Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) has reached a significant milestone in its mission to strengthen Nigeria’s defence sector, unveiling the first batch of its locally manufactured DG-103 rifles.
The upgraded version of the AK-103, produced in Kaduna, marks a critical step in reducing the country’s reliance on imports for weapons and ammunition.
Within just two months of launching production, DICON–D7G has successfully assembled nearly 1,000 units of the DG-103, with all rifles passing rigorous operational tests and meeting the high standards set by the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies.
This achievement underscores the company’s growing capacity to meet the country’s security needs with domestically produced equipment.
In addition to small arms, DICON–D7G is expanding its production capabilities to include drones and anti-drone systems, which are set to bolster the military’s early-warning capabilities during field operations.
The company’s CEO, Mr Osman Chennar, revealed that their long-term target is to reach an annual production capacity of 60 million rounds of ammunition, reinforcing Nigeria’s self-sufficiency in defence.
“DICON–D7G’s commitment to advancing the country’s defence industry does not stop with firearms and ammunition.
“In a bold move to further boost local production, we are on track to acquire a military jetty in Lagos by February 2026.
“This facility will house a production line, warehouses, and staff accommodation, in addition to a shipyard for servicing and maintaining naval vessels,” he said.
The acquisition is expected to enhance Nigeria’s defence manufacturing capabilities and open new avenues for exporting defence equipment across Africa.
“These developments reflect DICON–D7G’s role in Nigeria’s broader strategy to reduce foreign dependency and enhance national security.
“By investing in local production, we are not only addressing the country’s immediate defence needs but also laying the foundation for long-term security readiness,” he stressed.
In January 2024, both DICON, a Nigerian-run defence manufacturer based in Kaduna, and D7G a private, indigenous Nigerian defence technology company, formalised a strategic partnership by signing an MoU to establish DICON-D7G Nigeria Limited, a joint venture that combines DICON’s government-backed institutional mandate with D7G’s technical expertise and innovation capacity to strengthen Nigeria’s domestic defence production.
Middle-Belt Times 