Matawalle Inspects Czech Military Platforms, Secures Support for Nigeria’s Anti-Terrorism Operations
Oru Leonard
The Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Muhammed Matawalle, has inspected advanced military platforms and equipment in the Czech Republic as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s capabilities in the fight against terrorism and banditry.
Matawalle, who attended the Czech Air Force Days at Mošnov Airfield, Ostrava, on Monday, said Nigeria required modern military platforms and technologies to enhance ongoing security operations.
The Minister was accompanied by the Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Khalil Sulaiman Halilu; Chairman of the Presidential Implementation Committee on Technology Transfer (PICTT), Dr. Dahiru Muhammed; and other officials from the Ministry of Defence and the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON).
During the visit, Matawalle, alongside Peter Markvart, CEO of DEFCON, toured exhibition stands featuring land and air military 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.
The delegation also visited stands operated by Colt CZ Group, manufacturers of military firearms and ammunition, including the BREN-2 and BREN-3 assault rifles, M4 and AR-15 rifles, EVO-3 sub-machine guns and ballistic protective equipment.
The delegation further inspected equipment produced by MESIT, including tactical communication radios and the VERA passive surveillance system.
The Minister received briefings from the companies’ chief executives on the capabilities and applications of the various platforms and equipment.
Matawalle commended the Czech defence companies for their investment in advanced military technologies and expressed Nigeria’s interest in acquiring and deploying suitable platforms to support the Armed Forces in combating terrorism and banditry.
The companies, in response, assured the Nigerian delegation of their readiness to provide modern military platforms and technological support to Nigeria for ongoing security operations.
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 both countries, particularly in training, equipment maintenance and the provision of technologically advanced platforms for the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
The Czech military authorities expressed their readiness to provide necessary support to the Nigerian Armed Forces in their ongoing efforts to tackle terrorism and banditry in parts of the country.
