Nigerian Army Produces MRAP, other Military
Hardwares
The Nigerian Army is gradually meeting some of its basic
military requirements locally in the areas of armaments, lift
capability, hard skin vehicles and tanks as well as troops’
carrying vehicles. This is in line with the local content policy of
the federal government of Nigeria.
The production, retrofitting, refurbishment and repairs of
different military hardwares came to the fore when the chief of
Army Staff (COAS) Lt Gen TY Buratai visited the Command Engineering
Depot kaduna today. The COAS was represented by the Chief of
Training and Operations of the Nigerian Army Maj Gen Nuhu Angbazo
accompanied by the General Officer Commanding 1 Division Maj Gen
Usman Mohammed
While conducting the representative of the COAS round the
various specialized sections of the Depot where alot of progress is
being made in the areas of production of locally made Conqueror
Mines Resistant Ambush Protective Vehicles, (MRAPS) retrofitting
and repairs of different guns and tanks of which many have so far
been manufactured, refurbished and inducted into the North East and
North West Theatres of Operation in Borno, Yobe, katsina and
Zamfara States. During the tour, eight more units of Conqueror
MRAPS have been completed and soon to be moved to the mission
areas.
While at the depot, a lot of weapons repairs and retrofitting
and repairs of anti aircraft guns, General purposes machine guns
and browning machine guns are on going, and where inspected by the
Chief of Training and Operations of the Nigerian Army.
General Angbazo also toured the poundry section where the
casting of spare parts is taking place. He expressed satisfaction
on the speedy and progressive development of the depot and enjoins
the Commander, his staff officers and men as well as the civilian
staff to maintain the momentum and raise it to an enviable
position. He conveyed the commitment of the COAS to support the
depot to meet its targets at all times.
The Commander of the Command Engineering Depot Maj Gen S Araoye
said “Here we manufacture MRAPS, we produce different spare parts
and are also at the final stages of coming out with unmanned
vehicles to traverse difficult terrains and detect Improvised
Explosives Devices”.
Speaking further, he said that all projects at the Depot are
fully authorized and funded by the Chief of Army Staff.
He said that with precision equipment like laser cutter, the
productions can be sped up at the Depot, adding that all their
research are guided by FG policies.
Also inspected at the Depot were the newly constructed quarters
for officers and men if the depot.
Colonel Sagir Musa
Army Spokesperson