Aleke Aleke in Abuja
The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has reaffirmed NAF’s strong commitment to deepening strategic partnerships with friendly nations, as well as key players in the aerospace and defence sectors.
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This, he said, is part of his administration’s effort to transform the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) into a more resilient and agile force capable of addressing Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.
Air Marshal Abubakar said this while discussing areas of partnership with top Brazilian military aviation personnel and other aerospace experts during his official visit to the South American country last week.
A statement by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, stated that the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) highlighted the importance of international collaboration in tackling terrorism and other emerging security threats.
According to him, “In an increasingly complex and dynamic security environment, strategic partnerships remain a critical pillar in building a more agile, innovative, and combat-ready air force. Nigeria and Brazil share a long-standing history of military cooperation, and we are here to strengthen that bond for mutual benefit.”
Air Commodore Ejodame said that the CAS’s visit to Brazil forms part of a broader effort to deepen global partnerships in line with the NAF’s 2025 Strategic Objectives, which prioritise enhanced operational readiness, force modernisation, and international collaboration.
The NAF spokesperson also revealed that during the visit, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) participated in the Latin America Aerospace Defence and Security (LAAD) Fair 2025 held in Rio de Janeiro.
“At the event, Air Marshal Abubakar held high-level meetings with the President/CEO of Embraer Defence & Security, Mr Bosco Da Costa Junior, and the representative of the Chief of the Brazilian Air Force, Lieutenant General Malta. Discussions centred on enhancing the operational and technical capacity of the NAF, particularly in sustaining the A-29 Super Tucano aircraft fleet and other platforms in its inventory,” he revealed.
He noted that the engagements also focused on fostering collaboration in pilot training, technical and logistics support, as well as research and development initiatives.
He noted that in addition to his meetings with Embraer and the Brazilian Air Force, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) interacted with several international exhibitors, including Messrs Arsenal, FN Herstal, OGMA, and representatives of the Portuguese Air Force.
These interactions, he said, underscored the CAS’s commitment to building a modern and capable air force that can effectively address Nigeria’s dynamic security landscape.
Following the LAAD Fair, the CAS visited Embraer Defence & Security’s facility at Gavião Peixoto, where the A-29 Super Tucano and KC-390M aircraft are produced, and the facility of GESPI in São José dos Campos.
During the visits, Air Marshal Abubakar expressed appreciation to both companies for their continued partnership with the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and urged them to sustain their support in enhancing the Service’s operational efficiency and mission readiness.
The Nigerian Air Force’s strategic partnership with Brazil aims to enhance operational readiness, modernise forces and foster international collaboration.
This cooperation is timely, considering Brazil’s projected defence budget of $29.9 billion by 2028. The partnership involve sharing defence strategies, technologies or expertise, benefiting both nations’ military aviation sectors.
