By Victor Akaa, Abuja.
The Nigerian Army has taken a lead in the local production of military hardwares, other equipment for for the benefit of the army and other arms of the military.
Col. Sagir Musa, Acting Director, Army Public Relations in a statement made available to Enugu Reporters said, “the 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.”
According to him, “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 Tukur Buratai visited the Command Engineering Depot kaduna in Kaduna state.
According to the statement, Buratai was conducted 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.
There was the on going repairs of weapons, retrofitting and repairs of anti aircraft guns, General purposes machine guns and browning machine guns including the poundry section where the casting of spare parts is taking place during the inspection.
“Eight more units of Conqueror MRAPS have been completed and soon to be moved to the mission areas.
The statement noted that after the inspection tour, Buratai 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.
Represented by the Chief of Training and Operations, Army, Maj. Gen. Nuhu Angbazo, the COAS stated his commitment to supporting 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.
