Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), has announced the Nigerian Air Force’s (NAF) commitment to strengthening and expanding defense cooperation with its friendly allied nations. He emphasized that the NAF is eager to collaborate with international military forces on defense and security matters and is equally prepared to offer support to allied partners in areas where their defense interests align. Air Marshal Abubakar made these remarks during a recent gathering of Defense Attachés from allied countries accredited to Nigeria.
The CAS underscored the critical significance of the meeting against the backdrop of the increasingly precarious global security landscape, highlighting the indispensable role played by military forces in maintaining peace and stability worldwide. He further articulated that the NAF’s role in addressing security challenges alongside other security services necessitates a sustained investment in a diverse array of credible air power capabilities. Recognizing that such capabilities often arise from innovations and technological advancements developed beyond national borders, he emphasized the importance of forging strong alliances facilitated by Defense Attachés.
Air Marshal Abubakar urged the Defense Attachés to actively pursue their respective countries’ defense interests within the context of the NAF’s aspirations, fostering a synergistic and symbiotic relationship with the NAF.
Major General Emmanuel Undiandeye, the Chief of Defense Intelligence, expressed his gratitude to the CAS for hosting the Defense Attachés and emphasized the potential for the meeting to enhance the symbiotic relationship essential for effectively addressing contemporary global security challenges. He encouraged the Defense Attachés to utilize the forum to seek clarification and resolve any uncertainties, thereby promoting robust inter-military cooperation with the NAF.
Colonel Roni Singh Legha, the doyen of foreign Defense Attachés in Nigeria and also the Defense Attaché of India, expressed his satisfaction with the meeting and the opportunity to strengthen existing relationships between their respective countries and the NAF. He assured the CAS of their full cooperation in achieving the NAF’s objective of deepening cooperation.
The gathering brought together 31 Defense Attachés representing allied countries in Nigeria, including India, Germany, Cameroon, Italy, Russia, Ukraine, Egypt, South Africa, among others. The event featured an intensive interactive session and the exchange of mementos as highlights.
