At the International Security Conference on Africa (ISCA) held in Kigali, Rwanda unveiled advanced modern weapons manufactured locally by REMCO (Rwanda Engineering and Manufacturing Corporation), a company that has long produced military equipment for the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF).
The showcased weapons include small and heavy firearms, sniper rifles, ground combat weapons, and anti-terrorism gear. REMCO operates in the Gasabo District within an industrial zone that has become a hub for Rwanda’s military manufacturing capabilities.
Among the featured arms were pistols, rifles such as the ARAD5/300BKL with a range of up to 500 meters, and sniper rifles like the ACE SNIPER and ARAD SNIPER, capable of reaching targets up to 800 meters away. Also displayed were heavy machine guns such as the NEGEV ULMG and night vision scopes.
While some parts like ammunition, magazines, and lenses are still imported, the majority of components are produced locally. This highlights Rwanda’s significant strides toward self-reliance in defense manufacturing.
The Ministry of Defense confirmed these weapons are combat-approved and are already used by RDF and allied forces. REMCO collaborates with Israel Weapon Industries (IWI), which provides the expertise and technology necessary for production.
The ISCA event gathered various African nations and Rwanda’s military partners, who also showcased equipment from Egypt, Turkey, and elsewhere. Rwanda’s achievement in locally manufacturing its own weapons is seen as a major milestone in national self-sufficiency and long-term security capacity building.
