The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has reiterated its commitment to strengthening strategic defence ties with the Czech Republic as part of its broader efforts to bolster national security and foster regional stability. This renewed pledge was made on 19 August 2025 by the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, during the official visit of the Czech Republic’s Junior Deputy Minister of Defence, Radka Konderlová, and her delegation to NAF Headquarters in Abuja. Welcoming the delegation, Air Marshal Abubakar described the visit as a testament to the enduring friendship and shared values between both countries. He emphasized that partnership is underpinned by a common vision for peace, development, and technological advancement in aerospace and defence. Highlighting the progress of the Nigerian Air Force, the CAS noted that NAF has evolved into a more resilient and agile force capable of addressing contemporary security challenges. He pointed out that sustained operations against terrorism, insurgency, and piracy have enhanced Nigeria’s stature as a key player in safeguarding regional and global peace. According to him, continued collaboration with international partners like the Czech Republic is critical to maintaining these gains and addressing emerging threats. In her response, Deputy Minister Konderlová reaffirmed her country’s readiness to broaden the scope of defence cooperation with Nigeria. She described air defence as a fundamental pillar of national security and lauded Nigeria as one of the Czech Republic’s most strategic partners in Africa. and Konderlová underscored the significance of technology transfer sustainable capacity-building in strengthening national defence systems. She expressed confidence that the evolving partnership would yield farreaching impacts not just in security, but also in economic development, human capital growth, and industrial empowerment. “This collaboration goes beyond defence—it supports the foundation for national growth, self-reliance, and global peace,” she stated. During the discussions, both delegations outlined key areas of collaboration aimed at deepening the strategic partnership. These include logistical support for the NAF’s L-39ZA fleet, overhaul and acquisition of Mi-series helicopters, and training programs for aircraft maintenance technicians. Other focus areas include the development of local capacity in aerospace engineering, avionics, and unmanned aerial systems (UAS). NAF also expressed keen interest in exploring advanced technologies with Czech defence companies in domains such as cybersecurity, space technology, radar and surveillance systems, counter-drone measures, and signal interception. Companies identified for these engagements include Aero Vodochody, Avast, RETIA, and ERA—firms with extensive expertise in aerospace and digital defence technologies. Air Marshal Abubakar concluded by expressing optimism about the future of the Nigeria-Czech partnership. He noted that the outlined initiatives, driven by mutual respect and a shared commitment to peace, are expected to deliver sustainable benefits for both nations. He further affirmed that such cooperation would not only strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture but also contribute meaningfully to the collective security and prosperity of the African continent.

© NAF