Proforce Limited: an emerging giant in the military industry

Proforce Limited, a Nigerian company established in 2008 and a subsidiary of O’la-Kleen Holdings Limited, has come a long way from its inception in the design and production of armoured vehicles to becoming an internationally renowned defence conglomerate and positioning itself as an undisputed leader in the Nigerian defence industry.

Vehicles produced by Proforce

One of the fundamental pillars of Proforce is the design and production of vehicles for primarily military purposes. The company has developed a wide range of vehicles, from personnel carriers to combat vehicles. Some of the most notable models are the following:

The PF Hulk is an MRAP vehicle under the Proforce brand designed to transport military personnel or supplies. In addition, it supports the installation of weapons systems and specialized equipment and can tow towed systems. The PF Hulk has a gross vehicle weight (GVW) of 15 tons and a protection level 3a / 3b according to the STANAG 4569 standard, it can transport up to 10 people. The PF Hulk is equipped with a 360 horsepower engine, a 5-speed mechanical transmission and has a fuel autonomy of 1,000 km.
The PF Viper is an APC vehicle under the Proforce brand that stands out for its high-rise suspension system that allows it to move through difficult terrain with ease.
The PF ARA MRAP is an MRAP vehicle under the Proforce brand that is notable for its advanced ballistic armor and blast-resistant design. Additionally, the vehicle’s V-shaped hull diverts blast energy away from the crew compartment.
The PF Fury is an ultralight combat vehicle under the Proforce brand.
Finally, the PF Wizard is an APC vehicle under the Proforce brand.

In addition, Proforce Limited, in a strategic agreement with PJSC AUTOKRAZ, jointly assembles heavy off-road trucks for military and civilian use under the KRAZ-PROFORCE brand.

On the other hand, it should be noted that Proforce’s chief executive officer, Ade Ogundeyin, stated that Proforce Limited could produce 90% of the components of its vehicles, which would reduce its dependence on foreign countries as it would speed up production processes and allow them to be more efficient, in addition to saving significant costs since foreign components are usually indexed in dollars.

Staff Training and Development

Training highly qualified personnel is another key pillar of Proforce’s strategy. The Proforce Training Academy has played a crucial role in training the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Air Force, as well as other African countries such as Chad, Ghana and Rwanda, in the driving and basic maintenance of military vehicles. This investment in human capital has allowed Proforce to ensure the sustainability of its operations and strengthen its relationships with international clients.

Integration into the military value chain

Proforce has strategically integrated itself into the Nigerian military value chain. The company has established partnerships with original equipment manufacturers to carry out maintenance and repair of armoured vehicles, which has enabled it to secure contracts with organisations such as the United Nations and state governments. In addition, in a strategic alliance with Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), they have signed an agreement to establish a joint venture named DICON-PROFORCE Limited.

Beyond armored vehicles

Proforce’s vision goes beyond the manufacture of armored vehicles. The company has diversified its operations into other strategic sectors, such as the production of satellites, drones, aircraft and ammunition. Through its subsidiary Proforce Galaxies Limited, the company has started the production of satellites and has signed collaboration agreements with the National Space Research & Development Agency (NASRDA) for the development of NigeriaSAT 3, 4, 5 and a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite. Furthermore, in a strategic collaboration, Proforce Limited and Avibras Indústria Aeroespacial S/A will produce missiles and rockets in Nigeria.
On the other hand, Proforce AirSystems Limited focuses on the development of unmanned aerial vehicles for primarily military purposes, although they also manufacture UAVs for civilian use. Some of the UAVs marketed by Proforce AirSystems are:

The PF Eagle 3, which is a vertical takeoff and landing UAV designed for top-level mapping and surveillance missions.
The PF Cardinal which is a UAV designed to carry out precision air strikes with 60mm, 82mm or 120mm mortar shells.
The PFAG 16 which is a UAV primarily for agricultural purposes.
The PF Spider is a multirotor UAV capable of carrying 4 60mm mortar shells or 2 82mm mortar shells.
The PF Kaká which is a UAV which stands out for its maximum flight time of 60 minutes and its maximum payload of 70 kilos.
And the PF Marlin which stands out for its maximum flight time of 50 minutes and its maximum payload of 50 kilos.

Proforce, according to a statement from the Ministry of Defense, has reportedly partnered with Russia to manufacture a series of aircraft in Nigeria, which, if carried out, would consolidate the Nigerian aerospace industry, since in addition to unmanned aerial vehicles, military aircraft would be added, which would also strengthen Nigeria’s position in the African aerospace industry currently supported by UAVs.

Economic and social impact

Proforce’s work has a significant impact on the Nigerian economy. By encouraging local production of military equipment, the company contributes to job creation, technology transfer and reduced dependence on imports. In addition, Proforce plays a key role in Nigeria’s national security by providing the armed forces with modern and efficient equipment.

International expansion

Proforce has demonstrated a strong drive to expand its presence in the international market. Apart from supplying equipment to the Nigerian armed forces, the company has exported its products to countries such as Ghana, Burkina Faso, Niger, Chad, Rwanda and reportedly Belarus. Furthermore, Ade Ogundeyin has expressed the company’s intention to expand into new markets such as Pakistan.

A promising future for Nigerian defence

Proforce Limited has established itself as a leading company in the Nigerian military industry. Its focus on production, training and integration into the military value chain has enabled it to achieve exponential growth and establish strategic partnerships internationally. With its ambitious vision for the future, Proforce is set to play an increasingly relevant role in shaping the defence landscape in Africa.