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RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT (R&D) AS A MEANS OF

SUSTAINABLE TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE NIGERIAN
ARMY

INTRODUCTION

1. Research and Development (R&D) is the set of innovative activities

undertaken by corporations or governments in developing new service or
products and improving existing ones. R&D constitute the first stage of
development of a potential new service or the production process. R&D
activities differ from institution to institution, with two primary models of an
R&D department either staffed by engineers and tasked with directly
developing new products, or staffed with industrial scientific or
technological fields, which may facilitate future product development.

2. R&D differs from the vast majority of corporate activities in that it

is not intended to yield immediate profit, and generally carries greater risk
and uncertain return on investment. However, R&D is crucial for acquiring
larger shares of the market through the marketisation of new products.
New product design and development is often a crucial factor in the
survival of a company. When it comes to equipment innovation and
development, or process refinement and improvement, the role of the R&D
department is critical.

3. R&D is the means for Nigerian Army to achieve future growth and
maintain their relevance in their chosen goal. It involves spending
resources on investigation and testing to develop new equipment or new
ways of doing things. It also supports the enhancement of existing
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equipment or processes. The name, research and development, may

suggest high-tech, or the pharmaceutical sector, but in fact R&D is
applicable to a wide range of industries. For example, many consumer
appliances will go through rigorous R&D processes, either to develop new
versions of products or improve current designs, which is also applicable in
the Army today. Underpinning this kind of activity are various key functions
which together define the role of the R&D department.

AIM

4. The aim of this paper is to discuss Research and development (R&D)

as a means of sustainable technological development in the Nigerian Army.

SCOPE

5. To achieve this aim, this paper shall cover the following;

a. Types of Research and Development.

b. New Equipment’s Research and Development/ Updating

Existing equipment.

c. The importance of Equipment and Process Innovation as well

as Development to the Army.

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TYPES OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

6. R and D can involve basic research or applied research.

a. Basic research aims to a comprehensive understanding of a

subject, and to build a body of knowledge relating to it. As such it
may not have an immediate practical or commercial application,
but it still can be of interest to an organization. It is the sort of
research that might then initiate further concepts and lead to
applied research.

b. Applied research is much more specific with a set of objectives

related to a particular industry need or requirement.
Under applied research, any investigations will focus on
commercial objectives to do with processes or products. This latter
form of research will most likely lead to development, with the
production of materials, systems and methods.

7. Development itself involves different stages and functions. One is

prototyping and designing for production; the other is engineering or
manufacturing to produce commercial products, based on the designs and
prototypes from the earlier stage.

New Equipment Research and Development/ Updating Existing

Equipment

8. It is very tasking to introduce new equipment to the Army without

first coming up with solid data to support it. This research typically involves
conducting a careful, detailed study to support the project – whether there

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is a need for it, and how to ensure it is something that will aid the Army in
achieving its goals. The research study must also determine the
specifications of the equipment, the projected costs of its production, and
the time it will take to produce. The research function prepares the way for
new equipment or process development.

9. New equipment or process development is based on the concepts

and requirements coming out of the research phase of a project. This often
involves prototyping, to see how a working model of the equipment or
process performs before going into full production or application. A crucial
part of the development phase is ensuring a new equipment or process will
meet guidelines and any statutory requirements.

10. Within the scope of Research and Development is the evaluation of

existing equipment and processes to ensure they will still function
effectively in line with the Army’s goal. The R&D department may consider
the potential for equipment and process upgrades or changes. There may
be problems arising with current equipment and process which the R&D
department is then tasked to solve. This might involve changes to the
manufacturing or application process. Another aspect of this role of the R
and D department is quality control. Here the research and development
team may perform regular quality checks on equipment, based on the
department’s depth of knowledge around equipment specifications and
requirements.

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THE IMPORTANCE OF EQUIPMENT AND PROCESS INNOVATION

AS WELL AS DEVELOPMENT TO THE ARMY

11. R&D is not confined to equipment development. Its various functions

may also apply to processes, such as tactical and technical processes. This
means the focus on innovation and improvement is not so much on the
end but the means. A practical example of this is in production of the
Ezugwu MRAP to improve safety and performance in various phases of
operations as applicable. Again, there can be a similar set of phases,
including initial research and identification of issues and feasibilities,
followed by development and prototyping. Within these R&D functions,
there are different types of research and development, and decision-
making associated with them.

12. The R and D department is to help the Army to maintain its

competitiveness. This means keeping an eye on developing trends, and on
what the competition is doing. R&D is therefore also about analysis and a
sound understanding of current conditions within a specific sector. The
Research and Development department can help direct the future of the
Army because it provides essential information and ideas that support
strategic decision-making.

13. By investing in R&D, the Army is investing in technology and future

capabilities, transforming these into new processes, equipment and
services. The influx of knowledge that R&D brings can be hugely valuable
in developing equipment or enhancing processes. At a basic level, R&D is a
tool, but it has the potential to be an enormously effective one.

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CONCLUSION

14. Research and Development (R&D) is simultaneously the least

regarded but the most important resources our military possesses. In
the Nigerian Army today, R&D has helped in the production of some
material and equipment as well as helped to improve various processes
and tactics employed by the Army in combating insecurity and
insurgencies faced by the country. There is need for the Army to invest
more in its R&D department as the global industrial landscape continues
to change fast, so as to conform with the current trends in other to
achieve success in its assigned task.

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