..:: AUTO REPORT AFRICA ::..
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The Nigerian Army Tuesday in Abuja expressed full confidence in the vehicles produced by local automaker, Innoson Vehicles Manufacturing Company (IVM), as it ordered the immediate supply of 100 units of Innoson vehicles as well as other appropriate gears, engines and chassis required for immediate modifications and repairs of armoured fighting vehicles in the Army’s North East Operations .
The announcement of the major deal was made at a meeting between the management of IVM led by its Chairman, Chief Innocent Chukwuma and the leadership of the Nigerian Army led by the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General TY Buratai, at the Army Headquarters, Abuja.
The meeting was convened to officially formalise the relationship and partnership with the automaker for the modification of some of its equipment, local production of armoured fighting vehicles and other military hardware.
Speaking at the meeting, the Chief of Army Staff congratulated Innoson for the giant strides it has recorded in the production of various brands of vehicles so far even as he recalled with delight that the Nigerian Army, in a bid to encourage local automakers, had experimented with three vehicles from Innoson early last year .
Buratai disclosed that the vehicles were found to be durable as they performed very well in combat assignments thus proving that the vehicles are very useful, comfortable and convenient for military operations.
The Army Chief further disclosed that based on the success of the initial experiment, the Nigerian Army later acquired over 70 more variants of the Innoson vehicles which were deployed in the North East for Operation LAFIYA DOLE. He further stated that the Nigerian Army desires to deepen its cooperation by partnering with Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company Limited to conceptualise, design, modify and produce military hardware.
Buratai also listed further requirements of the Nigerian Army from Innoson to include the production of armoured fighting vehicles at the Nigerian Army Central Workshop in Kaduna and enhancing capacity of Nigerian Army personnel to actively participate on the successful implementation of these joint ventures.
In his response at the meeting, IVM chairman, Chukwuma, expressed happiness that the Nigerian Army has found his vehicles worthy for deployment and commended the Chief of Army Staff for his great sense of patriotism. He promised to assist the Nigerian Army in its quest for better vehicles for its troops and resuscitation of its Special Vehicle Plant and Workshops.
Chukwuma further expressed gratitude to the Chief of Army Staff for the commendation, maintaining that his company would continue to improve and expand its capacity in vehicle manufacturing. He further appreciated the Nigerian Army for the patronage, describing the critical role the Nigerian Army is playing in national development through the fight against insurgency in the North East and Nigeria in general.
Chukwuma later presented three newly-manufactured vehicles- IVM G80 Bigger Jeep, IVM G40 Smaller Jeep and IVM Granite Pickup – to the Nigerian Army for trial after the meeting.
