Major-General Bashir Magashi, Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, has said the armed forces need locally manufactured military equipment to enable it tackle security challenges facing the country.
According to him, this is necessary if the armed forces are to have an advantage over its many adversaries.
Speaking through a statement issued by Kabir Bala, Director, Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Defence, at the opening of a modern research centre at the Defence Research Development Bureau, Asokoro, Abuja,
“The bureau would be a key driver to the employment of unique and modern techniques for the operations of the Armed forces as well as facilitating the self-reliance drive.
“It is essential for the military to be highly innovative and self-reliant in producing indigenous hardware to beef up the insufficiency impeding efficiency in operations.
“This development calls for self-appraisal in vision and determination to our military requirements. In the face of the challenges, there is the need to evolve a new concept of ‘Made in Nigeria’ for military equipment and platforms.
“This bureau is a dire necessity because it will avail the country an avenue to develop and implore technology needed in curtailing the current security challenges.”
