Luanda: The President of the Republic and Commander-in-Chief of the Angolan Armed Forces (FAA), Joo Louren§o, congratulated on Wednesday the National Air Force (FAN) for the celebration of its 50th anniversary of its creation marked on January 21.
According to Angola Press News Agency, the Angolan Head of State extended his greetings to the general officers, senior officers, captains, junior officers, sergeants, privates, and civilian workers, with "deep recognition and a high sense of State." The President highlighted that this milestone is celebrated in a period of special historical significance for the country, following the 50th anniversary of National Independence last year.
Joo Louren§o emphasized the importance of National Independence as a pivotal event for the affirmation of the sovereignty of the Angolan people and the consolidation of Angola as a free, independent state committed to peace, national reconciliation, and social progress.
The president noted that since its inception, the FAN has established itself as a strategic pillar of national defense, playing a decisive role in guaranteeing the sovereignty of the airspace. The Air Force's contributions have also been crucial in preserving territorial integrity, supporting joint operations of the Angolan Armed Forces, internal security, and participating in public, humanitarian, and civil protection missions.
According to the Commander-in-Chief of the FAA, the Air Force was born from the historical necessity to consolidate national independence, defend the young Republic, and ensure the Angolan State's capacity to address security and defense challenges. Over the years, the FAN has demonstrated professionalism, courage, discipline, and a strong sense of mission, contributing significantly to maintaining peace, national reconciliation, and the country's political and social stability.
Joo Louren§o pointed out that the current geostrategic context demands permanent adaptation from modern air forces to rapid technological transformations and new multidimensional threats, including hybrid, cybernetic, and unconventional challenges. This situation necessitates strengthening interoperability with other branches of the Angolan Armed Forces and strategic partners in the collective security field.
The Head of State reiterated the Angolan government's commitment to continuing the modernization, re-equipment, and strengthening of the National Air Force by investing in human capital, scientific and technological innovation, and improving operational capacity. He emphasized that the personnel of the Air Force remains its greatest asset and the foundation of its success.
"It is also a source of great national pride the contribution of the Angolan Air Force in the field of military diplomacy, regional, continental, and international cooperation, through participation in joint exercises, technical-military exchanges, peace support missions, humanitarian operations, and cooperative security actions, projecting Angola as a responsible partner, committed to peace, stability, and the development of peoples," Louren§o stated.
According to the President, in this jubilee year, the nation celebrates past achievements, honors those who sacrificed for the homeland, and reaffirms its commitment to the future, which requires greater discipline, cohesion, professionalism, and dedication to building an Angola that is increasingly just, safe, peaceful, developed, and socially inclusive.
Joo Louren§o reaffirmed his commitment to continue supporting efforts aimed at strengthening the National Air Force, valuing the military career, reinforcing its internal cohesion, and consolidating its supreme mission of defending national sovereignty, guaranteeing peace, and contributing to the social and economic development of the country, in close coordination with the Organs of the National Security System.