By DECAN
The Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, has called for stronger technology transfer and local production in Nigeria-Türkiye defence cooperation.
Abbas made the call when the Deputy Secretary of Defence Industries of Türkiye, Mr Gökhan Uçar, visited the Naval Headquarters in Abuja on Thursday.
He said future defence-industrial partnerships should deliver greater localisation, skills development, maintenance capability and long-term technological value to Nigeria.
The CNS stressed the importance of mutually beneficial partnerships, sustained engagement and firm contractual commitments in developing credible and enduring defence-industrial cooperation.
He said the Nigerian Navy was particularly interested in partnerships capable of strengthening indigenous shipbuilding and supporting the modernisation of its fleet.
Abbas said cooperation should extend beyond the acquisition of defence platforms to include local production, research and development, maintenance and technical capacity development.
The engagement also explored practical opportunities for strengthening Nigeria’s indigenous shipbuilding capabilities and developing local expertise in maritime defence technology.
Uçar’s visit formed part of ongoing efforts to deepen Nigeria-Türkiye defence-industrial cooperation, particularly in areas capable of enhancing Nigeria’s maritime defence capabilities.
The engagement reaffirmed the importance of strategic industrial partnerships in building a modern, self-reliant and operationally effective Nigerian Navy.
It also underscored the need for sustained collaboration between both countries to advance defence technology, industrial capacity and long-term maritime security.
The engagement was contained in a statement issued on Friday by Navy Capt. Abiodun Folorunsho, Director, Naval Information. (NAN)