Armed forces require 200 million rounds of ammunition yearly - Minister

The Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Muhammed Matawalle, disclosed that the Armed Forces of Nigeria require 200 million rounds of ammunition annually for their operations, costing the government at least $2 per munition.

He revealed this on Wednesday during the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Defence (MOD), Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), and the National Agency for Science and Engineering (NASENI) on the establishment of an ammunition production factory in Nigeria.

He blamed past governments for the nation’s failure to achieve self-sufficiency in defence production.

“We have been travelling all over the world, and we see how local manufacturers are developing their countries. But unfortunately, Nigeria, for 60 years, has failed to build the institutions, but that has changed, and it will continue changing, inshallah.

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“Therefore, I make a promise to Mr President that as far as the MOD is concerned, before the expiration of his four years, I assure him that DICON will be exporting its military capabilities.

“All we need from all of you is prayers and your dedication. We shall look at it as our own baby, not just mine, but for all of us. Of course, if today we are achieving even 60 or 70% reduction in our military hardware and ammunition costs, considering that just the military requires about 200 million rounds of ammunition per annum, and when we include other paramilitaries and the police, we’re looking at about 350 million rounds of ammunition per annum.”

The Executive Vice Chairman of NASENI, Khalil Suleiman Halilu, stated that the signing of the MoU marks a significant milestone in strengthening the nation’s defence capabilities and achieving self-reliance in the production of military hardware.

He said the partnership between NASENI and the Ministry of Defence is a testament to the nation’s commitment to harnessing Nigeria’s scientific and engineering expertise in the service of national defence.

“NASENI has always been at the forefront of promoting innovation and technological advancement across various sectors in Nigeria, and with our track record of success in research, development, and manufacturing, we are well-positioned to contribute meaningfully to the establishment of the Military Industrial Complex (MIC).

“Our goal is to create a robust ecosystem that not only supports the needs of the armed forces but also fosters the growth of local industries, thereby reducing our dependency on foreign imports.”

He reiterated that the Military Industrial Complex will serve as a hub for the development, production, and maintenance of military equipment, ranging from small arms to advanced defence systems.

“By leveraging NASENI’s expertise in areas such as material science, robotics, and advanced manufacturing, we ensure that our military is well-equipped with the best tools to defend our nation. This MOU represents the beginning of a long-term collaboration aimed at enhancing our defence capabilities through innovation and indigenous production.

It is our firm belief that through this partnership, we will lay the foundation for a self-reliant defence industry that can meet the needs of our armed forces and contribute to Nigeria’s economic growth,” he said.

The Minister of Steel Development, Shuaibu Audu, stated that the Ajaokuta Steel Plant provides a perfect platform for the Military Industrial Complex.

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He noted that Ajaokuta Steel, sitting on about 24,000 hectares of land, with the steel plant occupying 800 hectares and having 44 production units, also has more than 10,000 housing units, of which only about 3,000 to 4,000 are occupied.

“So it has the capacity to accommodate military barracks. There is an engineering workshop in some of the production units that can help produce helmets, vests, rifles, bullets, and body parts for military tanks and the like. There are great opportunities for this initiative to dovetail into an MoU partnership between the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Steel Development to take this initiative further.”