Nigeria strengthens Air Force capabilities with strategic partnership visit from China’s CATIC Chairman
Nigeria strengthens Air Force capabilities with strategic partnership visit from China’s CATIC Chairman
Abdullateef Fowewe
The Chief of the Air Staff of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, welcomed the Chairman of China National Aero-Technology Import and Export Corporation (CATIC), Mr. Liu Yu, at the NAF Headquarters in Abuja.
This high-level meeting marked a deliberate effort to enhance Nigeria’s defence architecture and elevate the operational efficiency of the Air Force.
The discussions according to a statement obtained from NAF on Thursday, centered on consolidating ongoing projects, optimising the performance of CATIC-supplied platforms, and expanding cooperation in critical areas including air capability development, logistics support, and technology transfer.
Accompanied by CATIC Vice President Mr. Li Houding, the delegation engaged in strategic talks reaffirming a shared commitment to sustainable and mutually beneficial defence collaboration.
The statement reads, “In a deliberate step to strengthen Nigeria’s defence architecture and advance the operational capabilities of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, on 25 June 2025, received the Chairman of China National Aero-Technology Import and Export Corporation (CATIC), Mr. Liu Yu, at Headquarters NAF, Abuja.
“The visit focused on consolidating ongoing projects, optimising the performance of CATIC-supplied platforms, and expanding cooperation in critical areas such as air capability development, logistics support, and technology transfer. Accompanied by CATIC’s Vice President, Mr. Li Houding, the Chinese delegation engaged in strategic discussions that reaffirmed a shared commitment to sustainable, mutually beneficial defence cooperation.”
As the Nigerian Air Force advances its modernisation agenda, partnerships with global aerospace leaders like CATIC are pivotal in building strategic autonomy, strengthening national defence, and projecting airpower effectively across all domains.
