6 replies to this topic

[aamirzs]

Pakistan Air Force (PAF) and the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) have agreed to partner together in the area of fighting the act of militancy and terrorism.

Pakistan Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Tahir Butt disclosed this yesterday during an official visit to the Tactical Air Command, NAF in Makurdi, the Benue State capital.

Butt said that Nigeria and Pakistan have a similar situation confronting them with the increasing spate of militancy and terrorism plaguing the two countries; he, however, noted that Pakistan has been able to put the challenge under control through the grace of God.

“Militancy and terrorism have been the bane of our country but through the grace of the Almighty, we are putting that under control. Since both countries have a similar challenge, PAF is ready to cooperate with NAF in whatever way possible.”

He recalled that last year, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Alex Badeh had visited Pakistan to  seek ways of collaborating with the Pakistan Air Force stressing that his visit to Nigeria was a follow-up of that earlier visit.

Butt who maintained that the challenges in both countries are to some extent similar pointed out that the Pakistan Air Force has ensured that the militants know that government means business and has the capabilities to take on them.

In his response, Air Officer Commanding, Tactical Air Command, AVM Chimechefulam Onyemaobi who agreed that what Pakistan is going through is akin to what Nigeria is presently facing, stressed that Nigeria has alot to gain through the relationship with Pakistan.

LINK

^^^ Why?

[rungroot]

Maybe assert China's influence in Nigeria through Pakistan maybe?  Nigeria is an oil rich  country and it would make sense why China would want to take it under its wing using the good relations Pakistan has with Nigeria.  Just guessing, I dunno.

[Dizasta]

Nigeria operates F-7NG, which is similar in capability to Pakistan's F-7PG Air Guard. Cooperation between the two countries' Air Forces would be able to open up channels for possible sale of Chengdu/Kamra's JF-17 Thunder. And since Nigeria is an Oil Producing Nation, the likelihood of a firm order (not credit oriented), looks ominous.

[aamirzs]

The Pakistan Air Force is assisting the Nigerian Air Force with maintenance and training for its F-7 fighter jets and in building the Nigerian Air Force’s capacity.

Last week the Chief of Air Staff of the Pakistan Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Tahir Rafique Butt, paid an official five-day visit to the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) as part of efforts to strengthen bilateral defence relations. Butt said he would help the Nigerian Air Force reach its full potential and promised that “the Pakistani Air Force and the Defence Industries of Pakistan will not hold anything back from the Nigerian people and the Nigerian Air Force. When we cooperate more, we will develop to reach higher heights,” Pan-African news agency (Pana) quotes him as saying.

Pana reports that Pakistani Air Force personnel are present in Nigeria working to maintain Nigerian aircraft. Two Pakistani pilots are providing technical assistance for the Air Force’s Chinese-built F-7NI and FT-7NI jets. Pakistan also operates the type and has trained Nigerian pilots.

The Pakistanis were brought in following several F-7 crashes and the loss of maintenance schedules, which resulted in the grounding of the fleet in October 2012. After assistance from the Pakistan Air Force, the jets were cleared to fly again, Pana reports.

Nigeria received 12 F-7Ni fighters and three FT-7Ni trainers from China, with deliveries commencing in 2009. An F-7Ni crashed in May 2012 whilst another one was lost in March 2011.

Nigerian Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Alex Sabundu Badeh, said the Pakistanis had sent teams to look at the F-7s and instruct the Nigerian Air Force. He added that in addition to the F-7s, the NAF was looking for assistance with its C-130 transport aircraft, as well as instructor pilots for them, and also wanted help training pilots at the Nigerian Air Academy. Nigeria is in the process of refurbishing some of its grounded C-130s.

Butt’s visit comes after Badeh visited Pakistan last year.

Butt also met with Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Ola Sa’ad Ibrahim, and other officials and agreed to increase defence cooperation between Pakistan and Nigeria. He said that the Pakistan Air Force was ready to cooperate with the NAF regarding combating militancy and terrorism, especially as this has also been the bane of Pakistan. Last week the Nigerian Air Force launched air strikes against Boko Haram militants in the north of the country. Numerous aircraft, including Alpha Jet trainers/light attack jets, have been deployed as part of the operation.

[aamirzs]

^^^ LINK

[irfan_kashmir]

nigeria has soviet era weapons , i am not sure if we can help nigeria in any way
i was looking at wiki page they have planes like mig 29, sukhoi etc ... china is better bet for them

[Simpleton]

irfan_kashmir, on 22 May 2013 - 03:00 PM, said:

nigeria has soviet era weapons , i am not sure if we can help nigeria in any way
i was looking at wiki page they have planes like mig 29, sukhoi etc ... china is better bet for them

It's not just about helping Nigerian Air Force in developing COIN strategies against Boko Haram, it is also about being a Chinese proxy in Africa, it is also about marketing PAC and PAF products and services and earning money and influence.