NAF, Czech Republic pledge closer defence collaboration for peace, stability
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening strategic defence cooperation with the Czech Republic as part of efforts to enhance national security and regional stability.
The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, gave this assurance on Tuesday while receiving the Czech Republic’s Junior Deputy Minister of Defence, Radka Konderlová, and her delegation at NAF Headquarters in Abuja.
Air Marshal Abubakar described the visit as a reflection of the long-standing friendship between the two countries and their shared commitment to peace, stability, and the advancement of aerospace and defence capabilities. He commended the Czech Republic’s role in promoting global peace through NATO, while noting Nigeria’s pivotal contributions to regional stability through ECOWAS.
“This engagement could not have come at a more auspicious time, as the Nigerian Air Force continues its deliberate transformation into an agile and resilient force capable of meeting the airpower demands of national security in all operational environments,” he said.
The CAS highlighted NAF’s frontline role in countering terrorism, insurgency, and violent extremism in the Sahel and Lake Chad Basin, stressing that sustained air operations have significantly degraded the capabilities of violent non-state actors. He also noted NAF’s contributions to maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea, including the protection of critical national infrastructure and counter-piracy operations.
In her remarks, Konderlová reaffirmed the Czech Republic’s readiness to deepen defence cooperation with Nigeria, describing air defence as the backbone of national security. She emphasized the importance of technology transfer, sustainable capacity-building, and human capital development.
“Nigeria remains a critical partner for the Czech Republic in Africa, particularly in the shared pursuit of peace and stability. Beyond defence, our partnership also carries immense potential for technology transfer and human capital development,” she said.
Both parties identified areas of future collaboration, including logistics and sustainment for the NAF’s L-39ZA fleet, overhaul and acquisition of Mi-series helicopters, training for aircraft technicians, and advancements in aerospace engineering, avionics, and unmanned aerial systems. NAF also expressed interest in cybersecurity, space technology, advanced radar systems, counter-drone capabilities, and signal interception technologies, with potential partnerships involving Czech firms such as Avast, RETIA, and ERA.
