Somalia, Egypt Seek Deeper Air Force Cooperation on Training and Capability

GOOBJOOG NEWS | CAIRO: Somalia and Egypt are looking to deepen cooperation between their air forces, with senior military commanders focusing on training, the exchange of expertise and efforts to build the Somali Air Force’s operational capabilities.

Somali Air Force Commander General Abdirisaaq Mahmoud Haji held talks with his Egyptian counterpart, General Amr Abdelrahman Saqr, in Cairo, where the two discussed ways to strengthen the strategic military relationship between the two countries.

At the centre of the discussions was the development of the Somali Air Force, particularly through specialised training, experience-sharing and capacity building.

The two commanders also discussed improving the quality and professionalism of Somali air force personnel, suggesting that the cooperation is aimed not only at training individual officers but at strengthening the institution’s overall capabilities.

Developing an effective air force is part of the broader effort by Somalia to build national security institutions and increase the capacity of Somali forces to conduct security operations independently.

Egypt has maintained longstanding defence and security ties with Somalia, and the latest talks point to an effort to give the air force component of that relationship greater attention.

The discussions did not result in the announcement of a specific aircraft deal or new military deployment. Instead, the emphasis was on building expertise and institutional capacity through closer cooperation.

The meeting comes as Somalia continues to seek military partnerships that can support the development of its armed forces and strengthen its ability to take greater responsibility for national security.