Army Chief Unveils Locally Produced Combat Vehicles in Kaduna
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shuaibu, on Wednesday unveiled the locally manufactured Vanquisher Light Combat Vehicles, describing the development as a significant milestone in strengthening Nigeria’s defence capabilities and promoting indigenous military production.
Represented at the commissioning ceremony in Kaduna by the Chief of Policy and Plans (Army), Maj. Gen. Bamidele Alabi, the Army Chief said the rollout of the combat platforms demonstrates growing national capacity to design and produce mission-ready hardware tailored to Nigeria’s security realities.
He commended Kaduna-based Vanquish Industries Limited for what he termed its “remarkable ingenuity and technical competence,” noting that the vehicles would enhance troop mobility, protection, and operational effectiveness across varied terrains.
Shuaibu also praised President Bola Tinubu for advancing policies that encourage local content in defence manufacturing.
“The Federal Government’s commitment to promoting indigenous defence production is yielding measurable results. This platform stands as a clear testament to what is possible when sound policy direction aligns with industrial capability,” he said.
In his remarks, the Managing Director of Vanquish Industries Limited, Mr. Zach Duwa, described the unveiling as a defining moment for the company and for Nigeria’s broader industrial advancement.
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“This occasion represents more than the introduction of a combat platform. It reflects vision, discipline, and confidence that African industry can deliver world-class defence solutions,” Duwa said.
He explained that the Vanquisher Light Combat Vehicle was engineered around three core principles—protection, mobility, and adaptability—to meet evolving security challenges.
According to him, the protection architecture prioritises crew safety and survivability; mobility ensures agility and dependable performance across complex terrains; while adaptability offers a modular configuration capable of supporting multiple mission roles.
Duwa expressed appreciation to the President, the Minister of Defence, the Chief of Defence Staff, and other Service Chiefs for their support. He also acknowledged the Chief of Army Staff for his consistent patronage and commitment to locally manufactured military assets.
He further commended the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) for fostering an enabling environment that has strengthened joint ventures and expanded national defence industrial capacity.
“Today’s event is about more than technology. It is about sovereignty, resilience, employment generation, and confidence in our capacity to innovate and manufacture at the highest standards,” Duwa added.
He assured that as the vehicles enter operational service, the company remains committed to responsible production, continuous research and innovation, and the ethical stewardship of defence technology, with troop safety and mission success guiding every phase of development.
By PRNigeria
