The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar has stated that the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) is ready to strengthen its relationship and deepen defence cooperation with friendly allied countries. According to him, “The NAF stands ready to partner with friendly military forces on international defence and security, just as we are willing and ready to extend similar assistance to our allied partners in any identified area where our defence interests coincide". The CAS stated this recently while playing host to a gathering of the Defence Attachés of allied countries accredited to Nigeria. The CAS further noted that the meeting was of utmost importance as the increasingly fragile global security landscape has brought to fore the indispensable role that military forces play in ensuring peace and stability in today’s world.
Speaking further, Air Marshal Abubakar stated that NAF’s role in tackling security challenges in concert with other security Services, demands sustenance of a diverse range of credible air power capabilities. These capabilities, according to him, are often products of innovations and advancements in technology developed beyond the shores of any one country, hence the need for strong alliances orchestrated by Defence Attachés”. He went on to call on the Defence Attachés to pursue the defence interests of their various countries within the context of NAF’s aspirations which, he said, would easily dovetail into the sustenance of a synergistic and symbiotic relationship with the NAF.
In his remarks, the Chief of Defence Intelligence, Major General Emmanuel Undiandeye, thanked the CAS for hosting the Defence Attachés and noted that the meeting would no doubt help to further boost the needed symbiotic relationship required to effectively combat contemporary global security challenges. He therefore encouraged the Defence Attachés to use the opportunity provided by the forum to make clarifications and clear any doubts they may have for a more robust inter-military cooperation with the NAF.
Also speaking at the event, the doyen of foreign Defence Attachés in Nigeria who is also the Defence Attaché of India, Colonel Roni Singh Legha, expressed his delight for the meeting as well as the opportunity to further the already existing relationship between their various countries and the NAF. He then assured the CAS of their full cooperation in the attainment of NAF’s objective of deepening cooperation.
The gathering was attended by 31 Defence Attaches of allied countries in Nigeria. Some of the countries present at the gathering include India, Germany, Cameroun, Italy, Russia, Ukraine, Egypt, South Africa, amongst others. Highlights of the event include an intensive interactive session and exchange of mementoes.
