Epail Nigeria, Equipment Protective Applications International Limited, a prominent Nigerian defense company, has announced the commencement of serial production of the reverse-engineered Chinese Dong Feng CSK-131 Mengshi armored vehicle. This move is set to bolster the Nigerian military’s operational readiness and reduce dependence on foreign military equipment.
EPAIL specializes in defence equipment, surveillance systems, and Technological solutions. In September, 2021, Epail entered an agreement to locally produce bulletproof vests and other military equipment with the Nigerian Government. Earlier in 2018, Epail and Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria, DICON, a parastatal under the Ministry of Defence entered into a strategic agreement for the production of defence equipment.
The journey began at the 24th edition of the Nigerian Army Combat Support Services Training Week at Abalti barracks, Lagos State, in August 2023, where Epail first unveiled a locally produced light armored vehicle. The Dongfeng CSK131, originally a Chinese light protected vehicle developed by Dongfeng as a private venture and known as Mengshi, meaning ‘brave soldier’, has been adapted for Nigerian use.
The CSK131, serving China’s armed forces and proposed for export, found its way to Nigeria around 2021, the deal, which likely included a technology transfer, has now borne fruit with the serial production of the vehicle.
This development is a direct consequence of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) Bill, signed into law by President Bola Tinubu in 2023. The bill empowers DICON and private defense entities to operate subsidiaries, ordnance factories, establish research institutes, and attract private capital for defense production and innovation.
Retired Air Vice Marshal Abdulganiyu Olabisi, the administrative director of Epail, highlighted in a media briefing that President Tinubu tasked the Defence Industry Association of Nigeria (DIAN) to promote relevant technologies and develop infrastructure for military hardware production. “The light armored vehicles assembled here are a testament to that directive,” he stated, emphasizing the collaboration with Chinese partners in assembling these machines.
The DICON act also includes provisions for developing financing structures to support private sector investment in defense research and production. This aligns with Nigeria’s strategic objective to lessen reliance on foreign defense suppliers, a vulnerability in times of geopolitical uncertainty or supply chain disruptions. Local production ensures greater control over timelines and processes.
The Nigerian army, currently contending with the Boko Haram insurgency, bandits, and farmer-herder conflicts, will find the localized Dongfeng CSK131 and other domestically produced armored vehicles invaluable in these engagements.
The production of the localized Dongfeng CSK131 marks a pivotal moment for Nigeria’s defence industry, signaling a commitment to indigenous military capability development and a reduction in imported arms dependency. By manufacturing these vehicles domestically, Nigeria aims to enhance national security and respond more adeptly to threats. Local production promises faster procurement, maintenance, and modifications, leading to a more agile and robust military force.
The shift towards local production of armoured vehicles aligns with Nigeria’s strategic objective to reduce dependence on foreign suppliers for defense needs. Historically, Nigeria, like many nations, has relied heavily on imports for military equipment, a dependency that poses risks during geopolitical uncertainties or supply chain disruptions. Local production offers greater control over the production process and supply timelines.
By manufacturing these vehicles domestically, Nigeria not only enhances its national security but also positions itself to respond more effectively to emerging threats. Local production ensures quicker procurement, maintenance, and modification processes, leading to a more agile and prepared military force, ready to address the nation’s security challenges with home-grown solutions.