Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Nigeria this weekend is expected to significantly bolster defence ties between India and the African nation.
Nigeria has expressed strong interest in acquiring Indian-made defence equipment, including small arms, ammunition, armored vehicles, and the indigenously developed Prachand light combat helicopter, according to sources familiar with the matter.
This visit builds upon a recent trip by an Indian defence industry delegation to Lagos, which aimed to explore business opportunities following Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's expressed interest in procuring arms from India.
"At the invitation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, this will be my first visit to Nigeria, which is our close partner in the West African region," PM Modi said in a statement ahead of his departure. "My visit will be an opportunity to build upon our strategic partnership that is based on shared belief in democracy and pluralism.”
India is rapidly emerging as a key defence supplier to Africa, with recent sales to Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, Tanzania, and Mozambique. State-run Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) is now offering its advanced Prachand attack helicopter to Nigeria, hoping to secure a deal that would mark a significant milestone in India's defence export ambitions.
A high-level delegation accompanying PM Modi includes representatives from leading defence public sector undertakings and private companies such as Bharat Electronics, Bharat Earth Movers, Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders, Goa Shipyards, Advanced Weapons and Equipment India, L&T, Bharat Forge, and MKU Limited. This demonstrates India's commitment to forging new defence partnerships in Africa.
Beyond arms sales, India has been providing military training to Nigerian personnel for decades, and the two countries have steadily deepened their defence ties in recent years. This partnership extends to naval cooperation, particularly in the Gulf of Guinea, a vital region for international trade routes. In October 2023, the Indian Navy Ship Sumedha made a port call in Lagos to enhance maritime security and combat piracy, further solidifying the growing partnership.
The potential sale of Prachand helicopters to Nigeria would mark a significant milestone for India's growing defence industry. This advanced light combat helicopter, designed and manufactured by HAL, is tailored for diverse operational roles, including attack, reconnaissance, and counter-insurgency operations.
This burgeoning defence relationship between India and Nigeria underscores a shared commitment to regional security, economic cooperation, and a strengthening of South-South ties.
