Armed forces requires 200 million rounds of ammunition yearly and it’ll cost government N600 billion – Defence Minister

Minister of state for defence, Dr Bello Muhammed Matawalle, has said that the Armed Forces of Nigeria requires 200m rounds of ammunition annually for its operations, costing the government at least two dollars per ammunition.

He disclosed this yesterday, August 14, during the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Defence (MOD) vide Defence Industries Corporations of Nigeria (DICON) and the National Agency for Science and Engineering (NASENI) on the establishment of an ammunition production factory in Nigeria.

He blamed past governments for the nation’s failure to achieve self sufficiency in defence production.

He said: “We have been travelling around the world, and we see how local manufacturers are developing their countries. Unfortunately, Nigeria, for 60 years, has failed to build the institutions, but that has changed, and it will continue changing, inshallah.

“Therefore, I promise Mr President that as far as MOD, before the expiration of his four years, I assure him that DICON will be exporting its military capabilities.

“Therefore, all we need from all of you are prayers and dedication. We shall look at it as our baby, not just for me but for all of us. Of course, if today we are doing even 60 or 70% reductions of our military hardware and ammunition, how much is the ministry or the military spending every year?

“The military requires about 200 million rounds of ammunition per annum—just military. Put together, other paramilitaries, the police, we’re looking at about 350 million rounds of ammunition per annum”.

At 2 dollars per ammunition, 200 million rounds of ammunition will cost the government at least N600 billion at the current exchange rate of over N1,500 to a dollar.