On Tuesday, 2nd of January 2017, the Nigerian Army officially entered into a partnership with Nigerian indigenous motor manufacturing company, Innoson Motors Manufacturing Company. This partnership is for modification of some of its equipment, local production of armoured fighting vehicles and other military hardware.

The partnership comes after the satisfactory performance of three of Innoson’s vehicles deployed in the troubled North Eastern region. These Vehicles were found to be durable.

Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General TY Buratai said: “The Nigerian Army being patriotic and in a bid to encourage local entrepreneurs asked Innoson Motors to supply 3 vehicles early last year which were found to be durable and performing very well as they were employed in combat and proved to be useful, comfortable and convenient in military operations. Based on that the Nigerian Army acquired over 70 more variants of the Innoson vehicles which were deployed in the North East for Operation LAFIYA DOLE”,

Gen Buratai further explained that the Nigerian Army desires to deepen its cooperation by partnering with Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company Limited to conceptualize, design, modify and produce military hardwares.

According to the Army Chief, the specific areas of partnership between the Nigerian Army and the company include the immediate supply of 100 vehicles, supply of appropriate gears, engines and chassis required for immediate modifications and repairs of armoured fighting vehicles in the North East Theatre of Operations. Other areas according to the statement include identifying requirements for production of the armoured fighting vehicle in Nigerian Army Central Workshop in Kaduna and enhancing the capacity of Nigerian Army personnel to actively participate in the successful implementation of the joint ventures.

Dr Innocent Chukwuma expressed his happiness that the Nigerian Army has found his vehicles working perfectly and commended the Chief of Army Staff for his great sense of patriotism. He promised to assist the Nigerian Army in its quest for better vehicles for its troops and resuscitation of its Special Vehicle Plant and Workshops.

The climax of the occasion was the inspection and handing over of three of the newly manufactured vehicles by the company for trial by the Nigerian Army. These newly manufactured vehicles are; IVM G80 Bigger Jeep, IVM G40 Smaller Jeep and IVM Granite Pickup.

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