Air Marshal Elson Moyo, the Commander of the Air Force of Zimbabwe (AFZ), has expressed his country’s readiness to explore technical support from the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) in the areas of research and development, unmanned aerial vehicle technology as well as operation and maintenance of F7 and Mi-35 aircraft.
According to Air Marshal Moyo, the areas of collaboration are of common and peculiar aviation interests to Nigeria and Zimbabwe, whose air forces operate some similar aircraft.
Harare’s Air Chief noted that the NAF within a short time has recorded remarkable feats in its transformation effort to develop indigenous capacity.
This, “provides a motivation for the AFZ to look inward as part of efforts to address the technical challenges arising from sanctions imposed on his country, which has limited the AFZ ability to acquire basic aircraft parts and other technical aids necessary for operational efficiency,” he said.
While acknowledging the high quality training given to the first batch of Zimbabwe pilots trained in the 1980s by the NAF, Air Marshal Moyo applauded the NAF for its support to AFZ, which he said informs the decision by AFZ to seek improved synergy and collaboration with the NAF, with respect to capacity development.
The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Oladayo Amao has stated that the NAF was ready to forge mutually benefitting partnership with the AFZ.
Air Marshal Amao made the remarks, while welcoming to the Commander AFZ to Headquarters Nigerian Air Force, HQ NAF.
The CAS stated that the NAF was currently in partnership with many countries, including African countries, and is willing to partner with others who will seek collaboration with the Service; noting that improved synergy among African countries is the solution to many of the challenges, including security, facing the continent.
Air Marshal Amao said that “collaboration among in the areas of training, technical assistance and technology transfer will boost the capacity of African countries to be self-reliant and dependent in driving progress and development on the continent”.
Meanwhile, Air Marshal Elson Moyo is on a week-long visit to Nigeria, during which he will be visiting some NAF units, including Nigeria’s North East.