The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), NAF, Air Marshal Oladayo Amao and the Commander of the TurAF, General Hasan Küçükakyüz have expressed the willingness of the two air forces to collaborate on defence technology to enhance their operational efficiency in the fight against terrorism currently being experienced by both countries. Air Marshal Amao recently paid a courtesy call on the Commander TurAF during his 5-day official visit to Turkiye. Both also emphasised the need for Nigeria and Turkiye to share their experiences using unmanned aircraft systems in counterterrorism operations. This, according to them, would enable strategic synergy and enhance proficiency with a renewed commitment to eradicating terrorism.
Air Marshal Amao stated that Turkiye could achieve operational success against terrorists using the proper military equipment. “Turkiye has succeeded in developing a robust defence industrial sector capable of meeting up to a significant percentage of critical requirements of her armed forces and other security agencies”, he said. Air Marshal Amao, therefore, called for more excellent collaborations with the Turkish Air Force Command, even as he told the NAF appreciates the existing cooperation in training and extension of invitation for NAF personnel participation in some of the TurAF international military exercises. He then requested more support from the TurAF in upgrading and modernising platforms, air defence training, special forces training, and training slots in information communication technology for NAF personnel.
Speaking further, Air Marshal Amao noted that the two countries could greatly benefit from military student exchange training programmes as the consideration would enhance critical understanding of the two countries’ security environments and deepen greater cooperation. While reiterating the need for strong collaboration in defence technology, the CAS stated that the signing of the Defence Industry Cooperation Agreement by the two countries offered a more significant opportunity for the NAF and TurAF to work more closely together.
In his remarks, the Commander, TurAF, General Hasan Kucukakyuz noted that the Turkish Air Force is willing to deepen cooperation with the NAF by assisting the Service in any area that could ultimately strengthen its operational capabilities. He stated that the NAF would, from now, fully participate in its international military exercises, including Anatolian Eagle. According to NAF publication, Turkish General Hasan Küçükakyüz promised to liaise with the NAF and assist in all areas of military cooperation with other services in Turkiye as well as defence procurement concerns. The two air chiefs agreed to fashion out modalities that would enable a meeting between officers of the two air forces to outline areas of comprehensive cooperation that could be of mutual value to both sides.
During the 5-day visit, the CAS toured some Turkish defence companies to identify possible defence products that the NAF could require. These include Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAŞ), Aselsan, Havelsan, Menatek, BNW Group, Fly BVLOS, Airways Group, and Express Technics.
Nigeria has ordered T129 attack helicopters, according to Temel Kotil, general manager of TUSAŞ, who spoke to CNNTürk during the 2022 Farnborough International Airshow (FIA) on 23 July.
