Czech Republic Pledges Advanced Military Hardware, Support for Nigerian Armed Forces
The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Muhammed Matawalle, has secured commitments from Czech defence companies and military authorities to support Nigeria with advanced military platforms and equipment to strengthen ongoing operations against terrorism and banditry.
Matawalle obtained the commitment during his visit to the Czech Republic, where he attended the Czech Air Force Days at Mošnov Airfield, Ostrava, and inspected sophisticated military equipment and platforms designed for land and air operations.
The minister, according to a statement issued on Monday by the Ministry of Defence’s Chief Information Officer, Queeneth Iheoma-Hart, expressed appreciation to the Czech government and defence manufacturers for their commitment to developing advanced military technologies.
He said Nigeria required such platforms to enhance the operational capabilities of its Armed Forces in the fight against terrorism and banditry.
Matawalle was accompanied on the visit by the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure, Khalil Sulaiman Halilu; Chairman of the Presidential Implementation Committee on Technology Transfer, Dahiru Muhammed; and other officials from the Ministry of Defence and the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria.
During the visit, the minister and his delegation, alongside the Chief Executive Officer of DEFCON, Peter Markvart, toured exhibition stands showcasing advanced land and air platforms.
Among the equipment inspected were the L-39 Skyfox jet trainer and light attack aircraft, as well as the L-410NG multipurpose transport aircraft.
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The delegation also visited stands operated by Colt CZ Group, a manufacturer of assault rifles, sub-machine guns, arms and ammunition, and ballistic protective equipment.
The company’s displayed products included the BREN-2, BREN-3, M4 and AR-15 rifles, alongside the EVO-3 sub-machine gun.
Other equipment inspected included tactical radios and passive surveillance systems manufactured by MESIT, including the VERA platform.
The chief executives of the companies, Andrej Furin, Petr Holouk and Ivan Ivanov, briefed the minister on the capabilities, functions and technological features of the various platforms and equipment.
The ministry said Matawalle, impressed by the technologies on display, commended the manufacturers for their commitment to producing increasingly advanced military equipment.
The companies, in response, assured the minister of their readiness to provide modern platforms and technological support to Nigeria for deployment in ongoing military operations.
Czech Military Leaders Pledge Support
In a related development, Matawalle held separate strategic meetings with the Chief of the General Staff of the Czech Armed Forces, Lt. Gen. Miroslav Hlaváč; Commander of the Czech Land Forces, Maj. Gen. Josef Trojánek; and Commander of the Czech Air Force, Brig. Gen. Petr Tománek.
The discussions focused on strengthening military cooperation between Nigeria and the Czech Republic, particularly in training, equipment maintenance and the acquisition of technologically advanced platforms for the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
According to the statement, the Czech military leaders expressed their willingness to provide the necessary support to assist the Nigerian Armed Forces in their ongoing campaign against terrorism and banditry in parts of the country.
By PRNigeria
