Follow Us on Google
Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) Air Marshal Sunday Aneke has called for stronger international collaboration among air forces to effectively combat terrorism, transnational crime and other emerging security threats, stating that no nation can address today’s complex security challenges in isolation.
Air Marshal Aneke made the call while representing Nigeria at the System of Cooperation Among the American Air Forces (SICOFAA) Symposium held in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, where he participated both as Chief of the Air Staff of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and Chairman of the Association of African Air Forces (AAAF).
The symposium brought together air chiefs, senior military commanders and strategic defence stakeholders from across Africa and the Americas to discuss ways of strengthening international air power co-operation in response to evolving global security realities.
Speaking during the high-level forum, the Nigerian Air Force chief said the changing nature of global security — driven by terrorism, transnational organised crime, humanitarian emergencies and climate-related disasters — requires air forces to embrace innovation, improve interoperability and expand strategic partnerships.
He noted that the Association of African Air Forces has continued to play a pivotal role in fostering professional excellence, enhancing operational capabilities and facilitating the exchange of knowledge and best practices among African air forces.
According to him, the association also serves as a bridge for closer engagement with international organisations such as SICOFAA, creating opportunities for greater collaboration in addressing shared security concerns.
Air Marshal Aneke identified several areas where both organisations could strengthen co-operation, including joint training exercises, air mobility operations, search and rescue missions, aerospace medicine, logistics support and co-ordinated disaster response efforts.
Other News
The CAS also announced that the African Air Forces Field Training Exercise scheduled for Kenya in 2027 would serve as a major platform for enhancing the operational readiness of African air forces alongside selected international partners.
He said the exercise would improve collective preparedness for both security operations and humanitarian assistance missions while promoting greater interoperability among participating nations.
Reaffirming the Nigerian Air Force’s commitment to international defence co-operation, Air Marshal Aneke urged participants to ensure that the outcomes of the symposium translate into practical initiatives capable of strengthening trust, enhancing operational effectiveness and building enduring partnerships.
He stressed that sustained co-operation among friendly air forces remains essential to promoting regional and global peace, security and stability.
The Nigerian Air Force stated that the Chief of the Air Staff’s participation at the symposium reflects Nigeria’s growing leadership in international defence diplomacy and underscores the country’s commitment to advancing collaborative security initiatives through stronger air power partnerships across Africa and the Americas.
His engagement also reinforces the Nigerian Air Force’s strategic vision of building lasting international relationships that support peacekeeping, humanitarian operations and collective security in an increasingly interconnected world.
