By Bavoriat Clara
The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has reaffirmed the Nigerian Air Force’s (NAF) commitment to strengthening global defence partnerships during a week-long working visit to the People’s Republic of China from 24 to 30 August 2025.
In a statement by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Headquarters Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the visit was led by a high-powered NAF delegation which held strategic engagements with leading aviation and defence companies across several Chinese cities.
The mission underscored NAF’s determination to enhance operational effectiveness through international collaboration.
A major highlight of the visit was a meeting with the leadership of the China National Aero-Technology Import and Export Corporation (CATIC) in Beijing on 25 August 2025.
Air Marshal Abubakar described the talks as highly productive, noting that renewed agreements were reached on timely spare parts supply, stronger after-sales support, and expanded training opportunities for NAF personnel.
“Our discussions with CATIC focused on sustaining the serviceability of platforms already in our fleet. This is a major boost to our operational readiness,” he said.
The delegation proceeded to Haerbin on 26 August, where they were received by the Vice President of Haerbin Aircraft Company, Mr. Wang Shilei. The company, which produces the medium-lift Z-20 utility helicopter for the Chinese Army, Navy, and Air Force, made a detailed presentation on the platform’s capabilities.
The NAF team inspected the Z-20 helicopter and expressed interest in conducting further technical assessments.
Mr. Shilei welcomed NAF’s engagement and expressed optimism about a deeper China-Nigeria defence partnership.
At Chengdu, the delegation visited the JF-17 Aircraft Manufacturing Installation, where the Chief Designer briefed them on the JF-17B, JF-17 Block III, and differences between the JF-17B and NAF’s JF-17II aircraft.
The team inspected the JF-17B prototype, assessed cockpit layouts, and conducted simulated flights on the JF-17C simulator.
Speaking after the visits, Air Marshal Abubakar lauded China’s advanced aerospace technology. “For us in the Nigerian Air Force, these visits are about exploring avenues for technology transfer and industrial cooperation that will directly impact our fleet modernisation and long-term self-reliance,” he said.
The CAS also toured the AVIC Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Company, where discussions centered on strengthening NAF’s Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities.
He stressed the increasing role of drones in modern warfare, noting their significance for Nigeria’s counterterrorism and internal security operations.Reflecting on the overall visit, Air Marshal Abubakar stated: “These engagements align with my vision of building an agile and resilient Air Force.
By deepening partnerships with trusted global players, we are ensuring improved fleet availability, enhanced maintenance support, and mission readiness to meet Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.
”The visit not only consolidated NAF’s defence diplomacy in Asia but also reaffirmed Nigeria’s position as a committed partner in global security cooperation.
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