The Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Muhammed Matawalle, has said that the country seeks to explore and eventually acquire the latest technology in military hardware to enhance its security structure.
Matawalle said this while in attendance at the second edition of the World Defence Exhibition currently ongoing in Riyadh Kingdom of Arabia.
While going round the exhibition stands, the Minister pointed out that the aim of the global exhibition was for participating countries’ ministries of Defence to meet and share information and ideas on the latest defence systems.
Matawalle further noted that major international defence companies like DICON and PROFORCE from Nigeria and others around the world are participating in the exhibition in addition to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Ministry of Defence, and added that, “the Exhibition is designed to deliver key platforms across all five defence domains – land, sea, air, space (satellites) and security.”
Commending the organizer of the global event, the Minister said that countries would gain a lot in terms of defence cooperation.
He explained that apart from exploring the latest technology in defence hardware, the exhibition would also afford the Nigerian delegation opportunities to create ways of collaborating with key Defence stakeholders, leaders, and companies back home, thereby enhancing the country’s security architecture.
This, he said, is in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s agenda on security and further enhancement of security in Nigeria and the West African region.
The exhibition featured displays of military hardware, the latest technology military aircraft including a live air show, knowledge transfer, topical debates, and opportunities to connect, collaborate, and network with key defense stakeholders and leaders.
The Nigerian delegation to the World Defence Exhibition comprises the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar Kana, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, Director-General of Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) Major-General Effiong Edet, and other critical stakeholders of the Nigerian Armed Forces and exhibitors from the shore of Nigeria.
The 2nd World Defence Exhibition in Saudi Arabia, which commenced from 4th February, is expected to end on the 8th of February, 2024.
