The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and Pakistan Air Force (PAF) have strengthened their defence cooperation, advancing a partnership focused on boosting operational readiness, reducing life-cycle costs, and enhancing indigenous capability.
The development followed a visit by Major General MI Khattak, Director General of Weapons Development and Life Cycle Support of the PAF, to the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, at NAF Headquarters in Abuja.
Air Marshal Abubakar described the collaboration as a move of strategic value. “This partnership goes beyond transactional arrangements; it is about mutual growth. For the NAF, it translates into improved operational readiness, reduced sustainment costs, and the chance to build indigenous capacity. For Pakistan, it opens new economic opportunities in Africa’s defence market. Together, we can strengthen collective security.”
He outlined areas of cooperation, including research, precision-guided munitions, rocket systems, weapons life-cycle support, and personnel capacity building through training, academic exchanges, and industrial attachments to Pakistan’s defence institutions such as the Pakistan Ordnance Factories and the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC).
In response, Major General Khattak commended the professionalism of the NAF and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to the partnership. “We deeply value this collaboration with Nigeria. It reflects trust, respect, and a shared vision for self-reliance in air power. Pakistan stands ready to support the NAF in its journey toward greater operational readiness and indigenous capability.”
The meeting opened the door for structured engagements and reaffirmed both nations’ shared resolve to advance defence cooperation in line with the NAF’s strategic priorities of smarter air power, enhanced force protection, and safer communities.
