Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, reinforced the Nigerian Air Force’s (NAF) commitment to modernisation, self-reliance and strategic global partnerships during an official visit to the Czech Republic from 23–24 February 2026.
The visit underscored his deliberate drive to leverage international collaboration in strengthening training, sustainment and operational capability development in response to contemporary security realities.
It further highlighted the NAF’s growing profile as a forward-looking and professionally adaptive air force focused on long-term institutional capacity.
During engagements with Aero Vodochody Aerospace, the CAS reaffirmed the enduring partnership supporting the overhaul and upgrade of the L-39ZA aircraft, which continues to enhance pilot training and operational proficiency.
Discussions also centred on the NAF’s structured transition to the more advanced L-39 Skyfox platform, ensuring alignment of training systems with modern warfare dynamics while maintaining continuity in pilot development.
High-level talks with the Czech Air Force expanded cooperation in training, simulator capacity development and logistics collaboration across rotary- and fixed-wing operations, reflecting a shared commitment to professional excellence and capability enhancement.
Additional engagements with defence industry stakeholders provided valuable insights into advanced simulators, parachute training systems, unmanned aerial technologies and other emerging solutions critical to modern air power.
Emphasising that contemporary defence partnerships must extend beyond acquisition to knowledge exchange and technology transfer, the CAS reiterated that sustainable modernisation requires innovation and local capacity development.
The visit therefore delivered strategic momentum towards his Command Philosophy of leveraging innovation, emerging technologies and international partnerships to build a resilient, mission-focused and globally engaged Nigerian Air Force.