Inside Gains As NAF Boosts Ties With Pakistan Air Force

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and Pakistan Air Force (PAF) have taken a major step in strengthening their strategic cooperation, deepening a defence partnership aimed at boosting operational readiness, reducing life-cycle costs, and advancing indigenous capability.

This development followed the visit of the Director General, Weapons Development and Life Cycle Support of the PAF, Major General MI Khattak, to the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, at Headquarters Nigerian Air Force, Abuja, on 17 September 2025.

Air Marshal Abubakar emphasised the broader significance of the collaboration, noting, “This partnership goes beyond transactional arrangements; it is about mutual growth and strategic value. For us in 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 expanding defence market. Together, we can create a model of cooperation that enhances our air forces and strengthens collective security.”

He further highlighted opportunities in research, precision-guided munitions, rocket systems, weapons life-cycle support, and personnel capacity building through advanced training, academic exchanges, and industrial attachments to Pakistani defence institutions such as Pakistan Ordnance Factories and the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC).

In his remarks, Major General Khattak praised the professionalism of the NAF, stating, “We in Pakistan deeply value this partnership 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 towards greater operational readiness and indigenous capability, while also learning from Nigeria’s growing influence in regional security.”

The meeting opened doors for structured engagements and reaffirmed the shared commitment of both nations to advance defence cooperation in line with the NAF’s strategic focus on smarter air power, enhanced force protection, and safer communities.