By Sumaila Ogbaje
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and the Egyptian counterpart have made commitment to enhance cooperation and collaboration on pilot training and Research and Development (R&D).
This is contained in a statement by the Director, Public Relations and Information, NAF, AVM Edward Gabkwet, on Thursday in Abuja.
Gabkwet noted that the commitment was made when the Nigerian Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, visited his Egyptian counterpart, Lt.-Gen. Mahmoud El-Gawad, in Cairo, Egypt.
He said that the two air chiefs acknowledged the rich history of pilot training collaboration between their air forces should be further leveraged by NAF, which had previously benefited from the training of around 50 pilots by the Egyptian Air Force (EAF).
According to him, the two chiefs also explored opportunities for collaboration in R&D, particularly concerning NAF’s Alpha jets.
“It was agreed that the EAF would send a delegation to Nigeria to assess the Alpha jets, with the goal of undertaking an overhaul of the aircraft in conjunction with NAF engineers.
“The visiting team would also evaluate the possibility of conducting in-house tactical training for NAF pilots to enhance their proficiency.
“During the visit, Air Marshal Abubakar also attended the Egypt International Air Show at El-Alamein International Airport.
“There, he held discussions with Aero Vodochody Aerospace, a Czech aircraft manufacturer of the L-39NG aircraft—one of the aircraft in NAF’s inventory—along with CATIC, the manufacturers of the Wing Loong Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, and Ariegsa.
“it is an Egyptian company known for providing tailored solutions for high-level needs and integrating defense and attack systems across diverse platforms.
“Ariegsa is particularly renowned for its expertise in manufacturing aircraft simulators,” he said.
Gabkwet said the NAF signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the company to construct a simulator for each aircraft type in the NAF Order of Battle.
According to him, it was also agreed that the simulators would be built in Nigeria in collaboration with NAF engineers to facilitate knowledge transfer.
“Joining the CAS on the trip were the Director of Training, Air Vice Marshal Ahmed Idris, and the Commander of the 301 Heavy Airlift Group, Air Commodore Adebayo Bamidele,” he added. (NAN)
