DICON, Zumach Ink Deal to Produce Tanks, MRAPs, Other Military Hardware Locally
The Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Zumach and Associates Limited to commence full-scale local manufacturing of armoured vehicles, weapons, and other military hardware.
Speaking at the signing ceremony on Monday in Abuja, DICON’s Director-General, Maj.-Gen. Babatunde Alaya, said the partnership would significantly boost Nigeria’s defence-industrial capacity and accelerate the production of key military platforms, including tanks, Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles, armoured carriers, and various armaments.
Alaya noted that the milestone was made possible through the DICON Act 2023, signed by President Bola Tinubu, which empowered the corporation to pursue deeper collaborations with both local and international defence manufacturers.
“This partnership marks a defining moment for us. The DICON Act signed by Mr President has given us the mandate and freedom to collaborate, innovate and produce military equipment here in Nigeria,” he said.
The DG expressed appreciation to President Tinubu, the Minister of Defence, the Minister of State for Defence, the Chief of Defence Staff, and the Service Chiefs, saying their support made the advancement possible.
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He added that both organisations would “hit the ground running” with joint technical teams moving immediately into production phases from raw material processing to assembly and testing.
The Managing Director of Zumach and Associates, Mr. Chris Ezumah, said the MoU signalled a major leap toward strengthening Nigeria’s defence autonomy, adding that the company was fully committed to delivering high-quality, locally produced military systems.
Describing the agreement as “a call to higher responsibility,” Ezumah pledged strict adherence to operational excellence, innovation, and transparency.
Zumach’s Director of Operations, Mrs. Chrital Ezumah, revealed that the company had previously supplied over 600 armoured capsules under similar global programmes, noting that the new vehicles were designed for complete local manufacturing.
“This is a proven solution. These designs are already in use in several countries. We are ready to begin local production immediately,” she said.
She described the MoU as the start of “shared work, strategic discipline and purposeful implementation” aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s defence manufacturing base and reducing dependence on foreign imports.
She reaffirmed the company’s commitment to working closely with DICON to deliver high-grade military equipment capable of meeting Nigeria’s national and regional security needs.
By PRNigeria
