Matawalle Seeks Czech Partnership on DICON Ammunition Production

By Harriet Tornguvan 

The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has led a Nigerian delegation to the Czech Republic to strengthen defence industrial cooperation and explore technology transfer for Nigeria’s defence manufacturing sector.

Matawalle, who is on a three day official working visit to the Czech Republic, is seeking collaboration with the Czech defence industry to enhance the production capacity of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), particularly in the manufacture of military hardware and ammunition.

The delegation comprises senior officials of the Ministry of Defence, DICON and the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI).

During the visit, the minister attended the Czech Air Force Day/Air Show and Defence Exhibition in Ostrava, where modern and heavy military equipment manufactured by the Czech defence industry was showcased.

On the sidelines of the exhibition, Matawalle held a bilateral meeting with the Czech Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, Lt. Gen. Jaromír Zuna (retd.), where both sides discussed ways to strengthen the existing strategic partnership between Nigeria and the Czech Republic.

A major focus of the discussions was the expansion of DICON’s capacity to manufacture military hardware locally.

Matawalle specifically sought Czech support for the establishment of an ammunition production line at DICON, as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s domestic defence production capabilities.

The two ministers also discussed the transfer of technology to Nigeria, particularly in the production of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and other military equipment.

Responding, Zuna expressed delight at the Nigerian delegation’s visit and assured Matawalle of the Czech Republic’s readiness to collaborate with Nigeria in strengthening DICON’s defence production capabilities.

He also expressed the Czech government’s willingness to support Nigeria through the requisite technology transfer.

As part of the visit, the Nigerian delegation is expected to tour several defence and security industrial complexes across the Czech Republic to gain further insight into the country’s defence manufacturing capabilities and explore areas for potential cooperation.

The visit is expected to deepen bilateral defence relations while supporting Nigeria’s efforts to expand indigenous defence production and reduce reliance on imported military equipment.