The Nigerian Army is set to receive an additional fleet of tactical armoured vehicles to boost its operations.
This was disclosed on Sunday in a report by Military Africa, which revealed that the armoured vehicles will be delivered by Nigeria’s indigenous defence company, Equipment Protective Applications International Limited (EPAIL).
According to the report, this delivery follows a supply of 20 units in May 2024, marking a steady increase in the provision of locally produced military hardware.
Military Africa added that EPAIL has been at the forefront of Nigeria’s defence technology innovation, as evidenced by their recent participation in the Africa Airforce Forum that took place in Abuja.
The event, held from May 23 to 25, 2024, became a platform for EPAIL to demonstrate its commitment to bolstering the nation’s defence mechanisms.
“A highlight of EPAIL’s exhibit was the Automatic Weapons Station (AWS), a versatile modular turret system designed to be mounted on tactical vehicles,” Military Africa said.
“AVM Abdulganiyu Olabisi (retd), the Administrative Director of EPAIL, emphasised the AWS’s capability to allow operators to transition between various weapon types to meet diverse mission requirements.
“The AWS’s 360-degree traverse capability, coupled with infrared and visual cameras, provides a range of up to 2 kilometres, ensuring effective target acquisition and tracking.
“This system is controlled from within the vehicle through a joystick-equipped unit, offering enhanced situational awareness and operational efficiency.”
Further strengthening the Nigerian Army’s operational readiness is the domestically manufactured light armoured vehicle, which is a reverse-engineered version of the Chinese Dong Feng CSK-131 Mengshi armoured vehicle.
Military Africa said that featuring a remotely operated weapons system, this vehicle is a testament to Nigeria’s strides in self-reliance in defence technology.
The commencement of serial production of this vehicle in April 2024 represents a step in reducing dependence on foreign military imports.
“The Nigerian Army, currently engaged in combating security challenges such as the Boko Haram insurgency and farmer-herder conflicts, will find these armoured vehicles to be invaluable assets,” the report read.
“The localised production of the Dongfeng CSK131 and other armoured vehicles signifies a strategic move towards enhancing Nigeria’s defence industry and its capabilities.”
Meanwhile, EPAIL’s journey towards indigenization began with an agreement in September 2021 to produce bulletproof vests and other military equipment locally.
Military Africa said this was further solidified by a strategic partnership in 2018 with the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), under the Ministry of Defence, to produce defence equipment for the country.
