REPORT ON THE VISIT OF GLOBAL INDUSTRIAL & DEFENCE SOLUTIONS (GIDS) PAKISTAN TO DICON HELD AT ARMY WAR COLLEGE ABUJA 

REPORT ON THE VISIT OF GLOBAL INDUSTRIAL & DEFENCE SOLUTIONS (GIDS) PAKISTAN TO DICON HELD AT ARMY WAR COLLEGE ABUJA

A delegation from Global Industrial & Defence Solutions (GIDS), a Pakistani state-owned defense conglomerate, visited the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) for a partnership discussion. The meeting, which took place at Army War College, Abuja was aimed at exploring a collaboration to bolster Nigeria’s defense industrial capacity in line with the new DICON Act 2023. The primary objective of the visit was to establish a framework for a joint venture between GIDS and DICON.

The proposed partnership focuses on the production of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), bombs, missiles, and other defense items. GIDS, as a leading defense manufacturer in Pakistan, has a wide-ranging portfolio, including air systems, land systems, and naval systems, and has a strong record of exporting to over 16 countries.

Discussions highlighted GIDS’s readiness to address and mitigate all potential bureaucratic challenges that could affect the ease of doing business in Nigeria. This commitment is crucial for ensuring a smooth and efficient partnership. The Director General of DICON, Major General Babatunde Ibrahim Alaya, expressed his full support for the collaboration. He highlighted that this partnership aligns with DICON’s new strategy to foster growth and achieve self-sufficiency in military production, as mandated by the DICON Act 2023. General Alaya emphasized that such partnerships are vital for transforming DICON into a viable military-industrial complex capable of meeting the defense needs of Nigeria’s armed forces.

The visit was a significant step toward a strategic partnership that will enhance Nigeria’s defense capabilities and reduce its reliance on foreign procurement.

The collaboration with GIDS offers a valuable opportunity for technology transfer and capacity building in advanced defense manufacturing.

BJ SHOBO

Brigadier General

for Director General