PROFORCE LIMITED a Nigerian total defence solution provider, specialized in armoured vehicles and personal protection have made Nigeria proud at the just concluded World Defense Show in Saudi Arabia.

The show, inaugurated by Saudi Arabia on Sunday in Riyadh was its first edition.

Nigeria has was ably represented at the World Defense Show 2022 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia by Engr. Ade Ogundeyin, GMD, Proforce Limited.

The group who recently unveiled the GMC YUKON DENALI in Ogun state, showcased their latest defense protection technologies at Hall 1-N.D2.1.

Proforce armoured personnel carriers are made in Remo Ogun state Nigeria. They are well patronised by the Nigerian Government, United Nations, Chad and other countries.

The four-day World Defense Show which included 15 national pavilions with a total exhibition area of 900,000 square meters, attracted more than 600 exhibitors from 45 countries and regions. This is the first time a firm producing military hardwares from Nigeria will be part of the show.

Founded by Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI), the World Defense Show is set to be held every two years by showcasing the latest technological developments from around the globe.

GAMI Governor Ahmad Al-Ohali said that the show marks an important milestone in the kingdom’s journey towards localizing 50 percent of its military expenditure by 2030.

“There has never been a better time to partner with Saudi Arabia’s defense and security ecosystem as we continue to transform a nascent industry with immense potential,” he added.

“PROFORCE LIMITED was incorporated in 2008 as a total defence solution provider specialized in armoured vehicles and personal protection. The company’s focus is on the delivery of confidence in protective mobility. We have developed a vibrant market for security and mobile protective products within Nigeria and Africa. PROFORCE has exploited its deep technical know-how to produce outstanding armored products for Government Agencies, Corporate Bodies, Diplomatic Communities and the Private Sector within Nigeria and Africa.”

While only one company was good enough from Nigeria, eight Chinese companies joined the exhibition, including China Aerospace Long March International Trading Co. (ALIT), China National Precision Machinery Import & Export Corporation, China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation, China Shipbuilding Trading Co., Ltd(CSTC), China North Industries Corp. (NORINCO), CETC International Co., Ltd, ELINC China Co.,Ltd (ELINC), Poly Technologies Inc.

The Chinese delegation exhibits multi-type UAVs such as YL-2, CH-5, WJ-700, Yun-9E transport aircraft, LY-80 air defense system, 155mm self-propelled gun, SR5 multiple rocket system, JY-27A anti-air warning radar, electronic warfare defense system, multi-purpose unmanned boat, anti-drone system and other high-end equipments.

Shen Yujie, the general representative of NORINCO office in Saudi Arabia, told Xinhua that this defense show provides a platform for exhibitors from all over the world to display cutting-edge equipment in the field of defense and security, and to exchange and learn from each other.

“NORINCO carefully selected products suitable for the Middle East market to participate in the first exhibition. The two actual installations of the 155mm self-propelled gun and the SR5 multiple rocket system on display attracted the attention of many visitors,” Shen said.

“We hope the show could further improve the influence and image of Chinese defense industries,” he added.

The event is tailored to provide a unique platform for networking, collaboration, knowledge-sharing and discovery of new innovations.

Also not left out are the two trending countries – visitors to a defence show in Saudi Arabia were met with the surreal sight of seeing the latest Ukrainian and Russian military hardware competing for attention in pristine exhibition halls.

For Maxim Potimkov of Ukraine’s state arms exporter and importer, standing alone amid his country’s armoured vehicles, sales were the farthest thing from his mind.

“I came for this show because there has to be someone here and we have so much equipment here,” he told Reuters. “There was expected to be 50-plus people from Ukraine.”

Potimkov, from Kyiv, was travelling to Ukraine from a trade show in the United Arab Emirates when Russia launched its invasion last week, and he had to cancel his plans. Now back in the Middle East, he staffs a booth to promote Ukraine’s Kozark 7 and Kozark 2M tactical armoured vehicles and anti-drone systems.

Meanwhile, in an adjacent hall, Russian weapons makers were displaying Moscow’s hardware, including anti-aircraft weapons and air defence systems.

Hundreds of visitors at the defence show in Riyadh, including regional government, military and corporate officials, surveyed this exhibition of might from nations around the world even as residents of the Ukrainian coastal city of Mariupol experienced the dread power of such hardware at first hand.