By Victor Akaa, Abuja.
The President of Airbus Africa and Middle East company Mikail Houari said, his Aviation company is looking for a very long standing partnership with Nigerian Army to make supplies of aircraft in NA aviation industry.
Mr. Houari stated this when he led a 3 man delegation of the company to the Chief of Army staff, (COAS) Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai in Abuja.
He said “what we are looking at is to have a long term partnership.
“Nigeria is important to the Airbus.
“Airbus have experience from other countries especially in the area of drones”.
Mr Houari further stated that, his company was basically into the manufacturing of different styles of aircraft which include military helicopter of different categories as well as other forms of aircrafts.
He however seek for more collaboration with the army in terms of aircraft supplies for it’s aviation unit.
Responding, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai said the partnership will avail the Nigerian army’s opportunity to acquiring the new military aircraft for the newly established NA aviation unit.
Gen. Buratai, who was represented by the Chief of Policy and Plans, Nigerian army, Lt. Gen. Lamidi Adeosun also said, the collaboration was the beginning of more good thongs to come.
“We appreciate your interest in partnering with the armed forces and the Nigerian army.
“Nigerian Army is developing its aviation unit and whatever assistant you can offer in the area of training of crew and pilot is very much welcomed.
Our interest is in the military specs and not business or civil aviation or general specs”. COAS explained.
Buratai also promised to cement the partnership as well as finding the areas of compromise.
“If we are going into partnership with Airbus, we need to understand the American limitations”.
He explained that, the they should be a clear terms to know whether subsequently the American government will not stop the supply of military hardware should they request for it on the grounds of human rights violations.
“We will discuss further on this partnership and where ever we can collaborate it will be exploited ”. Buratai further stated.
Airbus has a strong positive presence it has established in the middle East and Africa over the last for decades.
The company had employed about, 3,000 people across the continent of Africa and the middle East.
They are committed to supporting the development and growth of a sustainable aerospace sector in the region.
