In furtherance of its goal to build capacity of its Armed Forces to meet emerging security challenges in the country the federal government on Friday sought the collaboration of Canada and Pakistan in the production of tanks, small arms and ammunition.
The Minister of Defence, Maj. Gen. Bashir Magashi (rtd), made the called for the assistance of the North American country in driving national aspirations and request for transfer of technology from Canada to boost the capabilities of the Defence Industrial Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) when received acting High Commissioner of Canada to Nigeria, Mr. Nicolas Simad, in his office.He asked Canada to offer assistance to DICON towards the production of more sophisticated military weapons and hardware.
This is coming on a day the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor, called for collaboration with the Pakistani Government in the area of defence production capabilities, which include manufacturing of tanks, small arms and ammunition, and communication equipment among others.
statement issued by the minister’s office said the minister, in seeking collaboration with Canada in arms manufacturing, restated the commitment of the Nigerian armed forces to the national territorial defence against the forces fueling insecurity in the country.
He listed the areas of common concerns to end violent extremism in the country and the support of Canada to entrench stable, peaceful and prosperous Nigeria as parts of diplomatic gains.
According to the statement, “Moving forward, the defence minister told the Canadian High Commissioner to assist in driving national aspirations and request for transfer of technology from Canada to boost the capabilities of the Defence Industrial Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) towards looking inward for the productions of more sophisticated military weapons and hardware.”
While lauding the decades of military bilateral cooperation between Nigeria and Canada, he said the ties progressively and sustainably culminated in the formation of the Bi- National Commission in April 2012.
Magashi said both countries were reaping the dividends of symbiotic diplomatic ties on win-win basis.
The acting High Commissioner of Canada to Nigeria, Nicholas Simard, who assumed duty six months ago, described Nigeria as a strategic partner with Canada, especially in thematic areas of combating insecurity, joint military training and advocacy for protection of human rights.
Meanwhile, the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) has indicated interest to collaborate with the Pakistani Armed Forces (PAF) in the area of defence production capabilities to further boost its operations.
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Irabor, stated this when he hosted the Pakistan Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (PCJCSC), General Nadeem Raza, in Abuja.
The duo spoke on the imperative of embarking on defence production capabilities which include manufacturing of tanks, small arms and ammunition, and communication equipment among others.