The Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria-D7G (DICON-D7G) has successfully manufactured and delivered its initial batch of nearly 1,000 DG-103 assault rifles. Achieved within the first two months of operations at the joint venture’s Kaduna facility, this milestone signals a rapid operationalisation of Nigeria’s intent to domesticate small arms production. The delivery follows the formal unveiling of the partnership during the African Chiefs of Defence Summit in Abuja in August 2025, marking a pivotal shift in the country’s strategy to reduce reliance on foreign military imports.
The DG-103 serves as a locally licensed variant of the Russian Kalashnikov AK-103. It retains the rugged reliability of the AK platform while integrating modern manufacturing standards required by the Nigerian Armed Forces. Chambered for the 7.62×39-millimeter M43 cartridge, the rifle is optimised for the engagement distances and cover penetration often required in West African counter-insurgency theatres.
Technical specifications released by the manufacturer indicate that the DG-103 features a cyclic rate of fire of approximately 600 rounds per minute. The barrel length and rifling profile generate a muzzle velocity exceeding 700 meters per second, providing an effective firing range of up to 500 meters. These ballistics align with the requirements for infantry units operating in diverse environments, from the dense forests of the south to the open savannahs of the north.
Osman Chennar, Chief Executive Officer of DICON-D7G, confirmed the delivery during a technical briefing at the company’s headquarters in Abuja. He stated that every rifle in this initial tranche underwent and passed comprehensive certification protocols to ensure they meet the specific operational standards demanded by Nigerian security agencies. This quality assurance phase is critical for establishing trust in indigenous platforms among frontline troops who have historically relied on imported hardware.
The joint venture is moving quickly to support the new hardware with a robust logistics tail. Chennar announced that full manufacturing operations are now underway to support an annual production target of 60 million rounds of ammunition. This domestic ammunition capacity addresses a frequent logistical bottleneck for the Nigerian military, aiming to decouple operational readiness from global supply chain fluctuations.
DICON-D7G is actively expanding its portfolio beyond kinetic infantry systems. According to Chennar, the company has initiated the production of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and counter-drone systems equipped with early-warning capabilities. This diversification acknowledges the evolving nature of asymmetric warfare in the region, where non-state actors increasingly utilise commercial drones for surveillance and attacks.
The industrial roadmap for the joint venture extends into maritime support. Mainasara Abdul Masanawa, the Research and Development Director for DICON-D7G, outlined plans to acquire a military jetty in Lagos by February 2026. This proposed facility is designed to house a dedicated production line, warehousing, and personnel accommodations. Furthermore, the site will include a shipyard focused on the servicing and maintenance of naval vessels, a capability intended to improve the operational availability of the Nigerian Navy’s fleet.
Masanawa noted that the Lagos expansion aims to boost local production capacity while positioning Nigeria as an exporter. The company intends to leverage these facilities to pursue Foreign Military Sales (FMS) opportunities with neighbouring African countries, potentially altering the regional defence trade balance.
An MoU was signed by the then Director General DICON, Major General AE Edet and the Chief Executive Officer D7G Osman Chennar at the DICON Headquarters 18 January 2024. This joint venture represents a strategic collaboration between the Nigerian government’s state-owned Defence Industries Corporation (DICON) and D7G Company Limited. The partnership functions as a central pillar of the “Renewed Hope” agenda’s defence industrialisation component, a federal initiative designed to stimulate economic growth through the security sector.
Lt Colonel Edet Okon (retired), Assistant Director of Production at D7G, emphasised that harnessing domestic resources to meet military demands is essential for national security readiness. By localising the supply chain for essential infantry weapons and ammunition, Nigeria aims to insulate its defence capabilities from external diplomatic or economic pressures.
