The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, has called for deeper collaboration among African nations to effectively confront the growing and complex transnational security threats bedeviling the continent.
Air Marshal Abubakar made the call on Thursday in Lagos during his opening remarks at the 4th African Air Forces Forum, a high-level gathering of air chiefs, defence experts, and strategic partners from across Africa and beyond.
According to a statement by Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, Director of Public Relations and Information at the Nigerian Air Force Headquarters, the Air Chief emphasised that no single African nation can overcome the dynamic security challenges facing the region alone.
“In today’s rapidly evolving threat environment, the capacity to project airpower for deterrence, surveillance, logistics, or combat has become indispensable,” Abubakar said.
“However, at the core of Africa’s effective employment of airpower lies the imperative for trusted partnerships anchored in shared values and strategic interests.”
He stressed that cooperation, mutual trust, and alignment of strategic interests must form the foundation of all efforts to enhance regional peace and security.
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The theme of this year’s forum, “Strengthening Collaborations in Advanced Aerospace Technologies for Enhanced National and Regional Security,” underscores the importance of unity in leveraging innovation and technology in addressing Africa’s unique security challenges.
Air Marshal Abubakar noted that with threats becoming increasingly transnational, the need for stronger ties, technology transfer, and collaborative foresight among African air forces has never been more urgent.
“The forum offers a vital platform for forging strong bonds, exchanging ideas, and facilitating technology transfer to move Africa closer to self-sufficiency in aerospace and defence capabilities,” he added.
The African Air Forces Forum continues to be a critical avenue for addressing shared security concerns, fostering partnerships, and promoting the strategic advancement of air capabilities across the continent.