HAVELSAN and DICON Sign Defence Technology Cooperation MoU at AFRIDEX 2026
ASIM, Oct 29
During the inaugural Africa International Defence Exhibition (AFRIDEX) in Lagos, HAVELSAN and the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), establishing a strategic framework for bilateral cooperation across defence, security, and aerospace technologies.
Announced on the 103rd anniversary of the proclamation of the Republic of Türkiye, the agreement expands on industrial discussions held during the exhibition, focusing on joint development, technology transfer, and domestic capability building.
Key Areas of Collaboration:
- C4ISR: Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance systems.
- Simulation & Training: Advanced operational training and simulation software.
- Autonomous Systems: Unmanned aerial and ground vehicles.
- Cybersecurity & Integrated Security: Information communication technologies and critical infrastructure protection.
Speaking on HAVELSAN’s local partnership philosophy, Vice President Şevket Ünal stated:
“Our model is very simple: Build together, produce together, and sustain together.”
Broader Industrial & Sovereign Capability Highlights at AFRIDEX:
- MRO Expansion: Airbornics Defence & Space Pvt. Ltd. (ADSL) partnered with Nigus Hercules Limited to establish maintenance, repair, and overhaul capabilities, alongside a Centre of Excellence in Nigeria for armoured vehicles, engines, and air defence assets.
- Domestic Production: Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Muhammed Matawalle, emphasized expanding local manufacturing capabilities, noting current national production of 50M+ rounds of ammunition annually toward a 300M requirement.
- Infrastructure Milestones: DICON-D7G announced plans to inaugurate a military jetty at Tedi Island, Lagos, by late November 2026 to support local equipment assembly.
- International Engagements: Delegations from Italy, the UK, Poland, and US Africa Command held high-level discussions with Nigerian CDS Gen. Olufemi Oluyede regarding maritime security, pilot training, space-enabled operations, and counter-drone systems.
Organized by dmg events in partnership with DICON, and backed by the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Ministry of Defence, AFRIDEX concludes today in Lagos.
#AFRIDEX #HAVELSAN #DICON #Nigeria #Turkiye #DefenceIndustry #C4ISR #AutonomousSystems #Cybersecurity #MRO #AerospaceDefenceSecurity #ASIM #BusinessIntelligence
