The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has intensified efforts to boost smarter air power capabilities as President Bola Tinubu led a high-level delegation to the Republic of Türkiye to deepen strategic defence cooperation.
The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, accompanied President Tinubu and the Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Gwabin Musa (rtd), on the official working visit to Ankara which commenced on Jan. 26.
The Director, Public Relations and Information of NAF, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, made this known in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.
Ejodame said the visit featured high-level bilateral engagements and the signing of nine Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) covering defence, technology, trade, education and related sectors, aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s defence posture and accelerating military modernisation.
“During the visit, the CAS engaged leading Turkish defence firms, including ASELSAN, Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) and HAVELSAN.
“This was to review ongoing procurement programmes and explore opportunities to enhance sustainment, maintenance support, training, research and development, and indigenous capacity building.
“The engagements are expected to deliver direct operational benefits to NAF ongoing operations by strengthening access to advanced aerospace technologies, mission-support systems and sustainment solutions,” he said.
In his remarks, the CAS said the focus was to enhance intelligence, surveillance, precision engagement and close air support capabilities critical to joint operations against terrorism, insurgency, banditry and other asymmetric threats.
Aneke said the engagements aligned with his vision of building a more agile, lethal and technology-driven air force capable of delivering smarter air power for safer communities
He assured Nigerians that the collaboration between the Presidency, the Ministry of Defence and international partners would continue to translate into improved security, stability and national development.
