The Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria–D7G (DICON–D7G) has announced a major breakthrough in its ongoing efforts to boost local weapons manufacturing, revealing that it has successfully assembled nearly 1,000 units of the DG-103 rifle—an upgraded variant of the AK-103—within just two months of commencing production in Kaduna.
This milestone was disclosed during a media briefing at the company’s Abuja headquarters by the Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Osman Chennar.
According to him, all rifles in the first production batch have undergone comprehensive testing and certification, fully meeting the operational standards required by the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies. He added that the company is simultaneously producing drones and anti-drone systems equipped with early-warning features designed to enhance military field operations.
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“With full operations now underway, our target is to achieve an annual production capacity of sixty million rounds of ammunition,” he stated, reaffirming DICON–D7G’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s defence ecosystem.
Speaking on behalf of the CEO, retired Major General M. A. Masanawa revealed that the company is finalizing plans to acquire a military jetty in Lagos by February 2026. The proposed facility, he said, will house a production line, warehouses, and staff accommodation.
He explained that the acquisition is projected to significantly enhance local production capacity and create new prospects for exporting defence equipment to neighbouring African countries. Furthermore, DICON–D7G plans to establish a shipyard at the facility to provide maintenance and servicing for naval vessels.
DICON–D7G, a central player in Nigeria’s renewed hope agenda for defence industrialization, noted that these developments represent only the beginning of broader initiatives aimed at reducing foreign dependence and strengthening national security readiness.