The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) towards strengthening strategic defence cooperation with the Czech Republic, as part of efforts to enhance national security and regional stability.
The Air Chief made the reaffirmation on Tuesday, while receiving the Czech Republic’s Junior Deputy Minister of Defence, Radka Konderlová, and her delegation at NAF Headquarters, Abuja.
Describing the visit as a reflection of the long-standing friendship between both nations and their shared commitment to peace and aerospace advancement, the CAS highlighted NAF’s transformation into a resilient and agile force, stressing its sustained operations against terrorism and piracy which have reinforced Nigeria’s role in safeguarding regional and global security.
In her remarks, Deputy Minister Konderlová reaffirmed her country’s readiness to broaden cooperation with Nigeria, describing air defence as the backbone of national security and Nigeria as one of the Czech Republic’s biggest partners in Africa.
She stressed the importance of technology transfer and sustainable capacity-building, noting that beyond defence, the partnership carries immense potential for human capital development, local industry empowerment, and national growth.
Konderlová averred that the collaboration would not only strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture but also contribute significantly to economic development and global peace.
Both parties identified key areas of collaboration, including logistics support 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, radar systems, counter-drone solutions, and signal interception technologies with leading Czech firms such as Aero Vodochody, Avast, RETIA, and ERA.
Air Marshal Abubakar expressed optimism that the initiatives outlined, anchored on mutual respect and a common commitment to peace, would deliver enduring benefits for both nations and contribute to Africa’s security and prosperity.
