Minister of Defence, Muhammad Badaru Abubakar has held a high-level bilateral meeting with the Chinese Minister, Department of Equipment and Development, Air Chief Marshal Xu Xueqiang, on the sidelines of the twelfth Beijing Xiangshan forum.
A statement by his personal Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mati Ali says discussions focused on advancing practical co-operation in defence technology transfer, strengthening indigenous military production in Nigeria and exploring wider defence-industrial collaboration.
According to the statement, both countries explored concrete avenues to strengthen industrial partnerships on defence manufacturers, build technical and institutional capacity within Nigeria’s defence sector.
Others include enhancing interoperability through co-operative training, exchange programmes and joint projects, and identify possible areas for sustainable technology transfer consistent with Nigerian law and international obligations.
The statement explains that the meeting re-affirms Nigeria’s interest in pursuing practical, transparent and mutually beneficial arrangements that will strengthen national defence capability and support economic and technological development at home.
Both sides agreed to task relevant agencies to follow-up on technical studies and proposals with a view to developing concrete programmes and where appropriate, formal agreements.
PR/Usman Sani.
