Lieutenant-General-Tukur-Yusuf-Buratai
Buratai seeks sustainable
Lieutenant-General-Tukur-Yusuf-Buratai
Buratai seeks sustainable investment for military
hardware manufacturing
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf
Buratai, has stated that there is need for sustained investment in
the research and development on military hardware to reduce
over-dependence on the importation of security logistics.
He said this will help to shore up and sustain military
capabilities towards mitigating contemporary security
challenges.
Buratai, spoke at the Abuja International Trade Fair Complex,
venue of the “Special Nigerian Army Day,” on Wednesday.
At the “2019 Abuja International Trade Fair,” Buratai, disclosed
that the complex nature of the country’s security environment has
resulted in the deployment of the military virtually in all the 36
states of the federation.
He said: “We are all aware of the nature of security challenges
facing the country, and the resultant employment of elements of
national power by the Federal Government to contain them.
“The NA therefore, directed the Command Engineering Depot to
collaborate with the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria in
research and development, and equally funded their innovative ideas
to produce a number of products displayed here today.”
Buratai, expressed delight that all the products manufactured by
the Command Engineering Depot were fabricated by Nigerians, without
foreign technical partners.
He said: “This is an achievement that will help to lay a solid
foundation for future consolidation on local production of military
hardwares.
“Similarly, it will reduce the intractable over-dependence on
imported defence logistics.”
The Army Chief, noted that it is heartwarming the military,
along with other security agencies have substantially restored law
and order in the crisis affected areas.
“The successes achieved by the Nigerian Army (NA) in particular,
are based on quality manpower development, capacity building,
provision of adequate platforms and other essential materials to
boosts its operational capacity,” said Buratai.
He maintained that the sustenance of local capacity for
production of both lethal and non-lethal military hardware rest
solidly on quality manpower.
The COAS, bemoaned the fact that most of the requisite materials
and ammunition for troops are imported.
A situation he said, not only drains huge foreign exchange, but
is also impacting negatively on the operational efficiency of the
NA.
According to Lt. Gen. Buratai, the trade fair has afforded the
Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria and the Command
Engineering Depot the opportunity to showcase their joint-effort in
research and development to the public, and indeed the
international community.
He disclosed that plans are underway to establish a ‘Smart
Factory’ at the Command Engineering Deport, adding that NA has
continously sponsored officers and soldiers on post-graduate
studies on robotics, automobile and software engineering, ICT and
weapon systems, among others, in both local and foreign
institutions.
The special guest of honour, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, Minister of
Science and Technology, who saluted NA for the wonderful
inventions, described the exhibition event as ‘celebration of
excellence’.
While applauding NA for participating in their last three annual
‘Science and Technology Expo’, Dr. Onu, assured that his Ministry
will cooperate, collaborate and offer needed support to the Army in
all areas necessary to advance research and development in military
hardware production.
The products displayed by the Army at the event include the Mine
Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle named Ezugwu MRAP, both
heavy and light Infantry Patrol Vehicle (IPV), CED mobile borehole
drilling machine, and the Ijodo tractor, among others.