The Czech Republic has pledged to support Nigeria with modern military platforms, advanced technology, training and equipment maintenance to strengthen the capabilities of the Armed Forces of Nigeria against terrorism and banditry.
The Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Matawalle, secured the commitments during engagements with Czech military authorities and defence industry representatives at the Czech Air Force Days at Mošnov Airfield, Ostrava.
Matawalle also inspected advanced land and air platforms and other military equipment during the event.
Accompanied by the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Mr Khalil Sulaiman Halilu; Chairman of the Presidential Implementation Committee on Technology Transfer, Dr Dahiru Muhammed; and members of the delegation from the Ministry of Defence and Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), the minister toured exhibition stands alongside DEFCON Chief Executive Officer, Mr Peter Markvart.
The platforms inspected included the L-39 Skyfox jet trainer and light attack aircraft and the L-410NG multipurpose transport aircraft.
The delegation also visited stands operated by Colt CZ Group, which manufactures assault rifles, arms and ammunition and ballistic protective equipment, as well as MESIT, which produces tactical radios and passive surveillance systems.
The respective company executives, Mr Andrej Furin, Mr Petr Holouk and Mr Ivan Ivanov, briefed the minister on the functions and capabilities of their platforms and equipment.
Matawalle commended the companies for their commitment to developing advanced military equipment and platforms, noting that Nigeria required such capabilities to strengthen ongoing efforts against terrorism and banditry.
The companies, in turn, gave assurance of their readiness to provide and support Nigeria with modern platforms equipped with advanced technology for deployment in ongoing operations.
The minister also held separate strategic meetings with the Chief of the General Staff of the Czech Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Miroslav Hlaváč; Commander of the Czech Land Forces, Major General Josef Trojánek; and Commander of the Czech Air Force, Brigadier General Petr Tománek.
The discussions focused on military cooperation covering training, equipment maintenance and the provision of technologically advanced platforms for the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
The Czech Chief of the General Staff and the commanders of the Land and Air Forces separately expressed their intention to provide the necessary support to assist the Armed Forces of Nigeria in ongoing efforts against terrorism and banditry in parts of the country.
