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ISLAMABAD: Chief of Air Staff of Pakistan Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu held high-level meetings with Saudi Arabia&rsquo;s top military leadership during his official visit to the Kingdom, reaffirming the commitment of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia to strengthen bilateral defense cooperation further, the military said on Thursday.&nbsp;According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the Pakistani military, the air chief called on Lieutenant General Turki bin Bander bin Abdulaziz, Commander of the Royal Saudi Air Force, and General Fayiadh bin Hameed Al-Rowaily, Chief of the General Staff of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Upon arrival, the air chief was accorded a guard of honor by a contingent of the Royal Saudi Air Force.&nbsp;During the meetings, both sides discussed matters related to bilateral defense collaboration, the evolving regional security environment and future avenues of cooperation.&nbsp;The two sides expressed satisfaction over the existing level of engagement and agreed to further enhance cooperation through joint training, operational collaboration and the exchange of professional expertise. Pakistan-Saudi Arabia Defense Agreement&nbsp;The Pakistan-Saudi Arabia Defense Agreement was highlighted as a symbol of mutual trust and long-standing brotherly relations between the two countries.&nbsp;Air Chief Marshal Sidhu underscored the historic and fraternal ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia and reiterated his commitment to expanding military-to-military cooperation through bilateral and multilateral exercises.&nbsp;He also highlighted the transformation of the Pakistan Air Force into a robust multi-domain force, integrating space, cyber, electronic warfare and artificial intelligence capabilities.&nbsp;The Saudi defense leadership praised the professionalism, operational excellence and combat readiness of the Pakistan Air Force, and showed strong interest in enhanced joint training and operational collaboration, particularly in the domain of multi-domain operations.&nbsp;They also appreciated Pakistan&rsquo;s constructive role in promoting regional peace and stability.&nbsp;ISPR said the visit reflects the depth of the enduring strategic partnership between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia and underscores the shared resolve of both countries to further strengthen cooperation in the defense and aviation sectors.

Foreign Affairs

Both sides discuss matters related to bilateral defense collaboration, the evolving regional security environment and future avenues of cooperation.

Pakistan air chief meets Saudi military leadership, vows deeper defense cooperation

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s civilian leadership has formally approved the appointment of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir as the country&rsquo;s first Chief of Defense Forces (CDF), with both President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif endorsing the new top military role, according to official statements issued Thursday.&nbsp;The president approved the five-year appointment after receiving the summary from the prime minister, confirming that Munir will concurrently serve as Chief of the Army Staff.&nbsp;President Zardari also endorsed a two-year extension for Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar Sidhu, to take effect when his current tenure ends on March 19 next year. He conveyed &ldquo;best wishes&rdquo; to both senior officers for &ldquo;their successful tenures,&rdquo; according to the President&rsquo;s Secretariat.&nbsp;PM Sharif also congratulated Munir, calling the appointment &ldquo;aligned with contemporary and modern warfare requirements,&rdquo; adding that it would &ldquo;further strengthen the country&rsquo;s defense.&rdquo;&nbsp;&ldquo;Under Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir&rsquo;s leadership, our brave armed forces have dealt a decisive defeat to the enemy,&rdquo; the prime minister said, praising what he described as a &ldquo;remarkable victory&rdquo; that had &ldquo;enhanced Pakistan&rsquo;s prestige and honor worldwide.&rdquo;&nbsp;Sharif separately congratulated Air Chief Marshal Sidhu on his extension, saying the Pakistan Air Force had demonstrated &ldquo;exceptional professional skills&rdquo; under his command, claiming that its operations had &ldquo;destroyed enemy warplanes and asserted dominance.&rdquo;&nbsp;The prime minister said all national institutions would continue to work together for &ldquo;Pakistan&rsquo;s defense, development, and prosperity,&rdquo; adding: &ldquo;Together, we will make the country&rsquo;s defense invincible.&rdquo;

Security

PM Shehbaz Sharif congratulates Asim Munir as first Chief of Defense Forces, praises his leadership, extends best wishes, and commends Air Chief Zaheer Sidhu for strengthening Pakistan’s defense.

Pakistan president, PM approve Field Marshal Asim Munir as first CDF, extend air chief tenure

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu used the passing out parade at PAF Academy Risalpur on Tuesday to praise graduating cadets while declaring that the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) had demonstrated clear superiority over India during the May conflict.&nbsp;Congratulating the newly commissioned officers, he commended the &ldquo;graduating cadets, distinction holders, [and] winners of swords of honor,&rdquo; and extended special appreciation to the Royal Saudi Air Force cadets.&nbsp;Their presence, he said, reflected the &ldquo;strong friendship and cooperation between our two great nations and their armed forces.&rdquo;&nbsp;Addressing the parade, Sidhu told the cadets they were entering &ldquo;one of the most distinguished, respected and professional air forces of the world,&rdquo; and now carried &ldquo;the hopes of the entire nation&rdquo; as defenders of Pakistan&rsquo;s airspace. <figure class="fr-media"><img src="https://paktv-assets-7d41fab8.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/uploads/69f92032-f474-4316-bb50-e7d1c62b7a7e-593887957_1340498774783163_5940334491796056467_n.jpg" alt="PAF-Passing-Out-Parade" class="fr-fil fr-dib"><figcaption class="caption-cover-image text-sm text-gray-600 italic">Courtesy: PAF</figcaption></figure> He highlighted what he described as a major transformation in PAF training, built around &ldquo;future-focused technological interface with equal emphasis on character, leadership, intellectual prowess, mental resilience, and physical robustness.&rdquo;&nbsp;This, he said, had prepared graduates for the &ldquo;evolving battle space shaped by emerging technologies.&rdquo;&nbsp;Turning to regional tensions, the Air Chief said Pakistan was &ldquo;living in challenging times,&rdquo; and warned adversaries of seeking to &ldquo;undermine the sovereignty of this beloved country.&rdquo; Referring to the confrontation with India in May, he said that &ldquo;the people of Pakistan and its armed forces defeated the enemy with far greater numerical might.&rdquo;&nbsp;Sidhu said the PAF conducted &ldquo;full-spectrum multi-domain operations&rdquo; involving space, cyber, electronic warfare, long-range vectors, unmanned aerial systems, and loitering munitions.&nbsp;He asserted that during the intense aerial engagements of May 6-7, the PAF &ldquo;shot down the enemy&rsquo;s most modern and capable aircraft,&rdquo; including Rafale, Su-30MKI, Mirage 2000, MiG-29 jets and unmanned systems, calling it &ldquo;one of the most intense and longest BVR-versus-BVR battles of modern aerial history.&rdquo;&nbsp;He said Pakistan also responded to further Indian actions on May 10 with a &ldquo;paralyzing punch,&rdquo; striking &ldquo;bases and ground assets deep into enemy territory,&rdquo; but added that operations remained &ldquo;calibrated and balanced with a single aim to ensure peace with honor.&rdquo;&nbsp;Linking battlefield performance to years of internal reforms, the air chief said the PAF had pursued an aggressive modernization and indigenization drive, including advanced combat systems and what he described as a &ldquo;homegrown kill chain&rdquo; enabled by unmanned platforms, electronic warfare and space-linked assets.&nbsp;He praised the National Aerospace Science and Technology Park as a &ldquo;strategic setup of national significance.&rdquo;&nbsp;Sidhu praised PAF personnel for their conduct, saying, &ldquo;No doubt you fought aggressively in synergy with the sister services and the entire nation is proud of your courage and bravery.&rdquo; <figure class="fr-media"><img src="https://paktv-assets-7d41fab8.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/uploads/1694c533-dcd3-471c-85d1-940f22aaa1ce-594156692_1340497838116590_5357864611175524559_n.jpg" alt="Pakistan Air Force Jets" class="fr-fil fr-dib"></figure> He contrasted Pakistan&rsquo;s claims with those from India, saying PAF statements were &ldquo;based on evidence and undeniable hard fact.&rdquo;&nbsp;Reiterating Pakistan&rsquo;s broader stance, he said the country &ldquo;wishes to maintain friendly relations with all, especially with our neighbors,&rdquo; but warned that if national sovereignty was challenged, &ldquo;our adversary will find Pakistan armed forces even harder and better prepared.&rdquo;&nbsp;He concluded by asserting that Pakistan had &ldquo;successfully emerged as a net regional stabilizer&rdquo; and that strengthened ties with global powers reflected &ldquo;credible military progress&rdquo; and the country&rsquo;s strategic maturity.

Congratulating the newly commissioned officers, Pakistan Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu says they join a world-class force that proved its superiority over India in May’s conflict.

At passing out parade, Pakistan air chief hails PAF victory over India

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s JF-17 Thunder Block-III was a major highlight at the Dubai Airshow 2025, drawing significant interest, as a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed with a &ldquo;friendly country&rdquo; for the aircraft&rsquo;s procurement, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) confirmed on Thursday. According to the military&#39;s media wing, the Pakistan Air Force&#39;s JF-17 was &ldquo;a major focal point,&rdquo; noting that several countries expressed interest in acquiring the fighter jet during the event. The jet is currently in service with the air forces of Pakistan, Nigeria, Myanmar, and Azerbaijan, which recently inducted the Block-III variant. Azerbaijan officially confirmed the induction of five jets into its air force during the November 8, 2025, Victory Day parade in Baku, with the Office of the President confirming that the aircraft have entered active service with the Azerbaijan Air Force and Air Defence Force. <div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1987130301147914545&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=15030c051fa754a507fe6f4d2911f4fb19c50a51&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 626px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div>The identity of the country that signed the MoU has not yet been publicly disclosed, and no details on the number of aircraft or the financial terms have been released. The ISPR said the MoU represents &ldquo;another important milestone in Pakistan&rsquo;s expanding defence and industrial partnerships.&rdquo;</div> The PAF contingent at the airshow showcased the latest JF-17 Block-III variant, which ISPR described as a reflection of Pakistan&rsquo;s growing indigenous aerospace capability. The Super Mushshak trainer aircraft also featured in the display. On the sidelines of the airshow, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu met senior UAE defence officials, including Lt Gen Pilot Ibrahim Nasser Al-Alawi, Undersecretary of Defence, and Maj Gen Rashid Mohammed Al-Shamsi, Commander of the UAE Air Force and Air Defence. The ISPR said the discussions focused on advanced training cooperation, emerging aerospace technologies, and enhancing operational coordination between the two air forces. <div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-2" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-2&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1991521200200380716&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=15030c051fa754a507fe6f4d2911f4fb19c50a51&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 626px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div>&ldquo;The UAE military leadership lauded PAF&rsquo;s modernization initiatives and growing indigenous capabilities, with a shared resolve to further strengthen military engagement through joint exercises, professional exchanges, and forward-looking partnerships,&rdquo; the ISPR said.</div> JF-17 in combatThe highly capable 4.5-generation fighter, jointly developed by Pakistan and China, has become a key addition to the Pakistan Air Force&rsquo;s modern combat fleet, valued for its multi-role capabilities, including air-to-air combat, precision strikes, Suppression of Enemy Air Defences (SEAD), and reconnaissance. During the May 2025 conflict between Pakistan and India, the aircraft was frequently utilized for air defence patrols and precision strike missions along the Line of Control, proving its agility and versatility in modern aerial combat. In 2019, JF-17s were used in the Balakot strikes, providing precision targeting and tactical support. These deployments have strengthened the aircraft&#39;s image as a dependable, combat-proven platform, making it more appealing to potential foreign buyers.

Dubai airshow features the JF-17 Thunder Block-III: Courtesy ISPR

Pakistan’s JF-17 Thunder Block-III drew international attention at the Dubai Airshow 2025. ISPR confirmed a MoU with a friendly country for its procurement, highlighting the jet’s combat-proven capabilities and export potential.

Pakistan’s JF-17 takes the spotlight at Dubai Airshow, MoU signed with friendly country

ISLAMABAD: The air forces of Pakistan and Iraq have agreed to strengthen military cooperation through enhanced joint exercises, training programs, and aviation industry collaboration, the Pakistani military&rsquo;s media wing said on Thursday.&nbsp;A high-level Iraqi delegation led by Air Force Commander Lt. Gen. Staff Pilot Mohanad Ghalib Mohammed Radi Al-Asadi met Pakistan Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu at Air Headquarters in Islamabad, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).&nbsp;The two commanders discussed expanding bilateral defense ties, with a focus on joint training, capacity building, and aviation advancements. Both sides agreed to conduct regular joint exercises to improve interoperability and operational synergy between the two air forces.&nbsp;The Iraqi commander expressed a desire to restructure Iraq&rsquo;s entire air force training system, from basic to advanced tactical levels, and sought Pakistan&rsquo;s support in developing a modern training framework for Iraqi personnel.&nbsp;&ldquo;The Iraqi commander also highlighted his force&rsquo;s interest in exchange postings with PAF pilots,&rdquo; the ISPR said, &ldquo;underscoring the immense value Iraqi aviators place on learning from Pakistan&rsquo;s combat-proven professionals.&rdquo;&nbsp;Al-Asadi also expressed interest in replicating Pakistan&rsquo;s National Aerospace Science &amp; Technology Park (NASTP) in Iraq. A model that brings together academia, defense industry, and military needs under one structure.&nbsp;Pakistan has been actively pursuing stronger military ties with various countries, particularly in the air force domain, following heightened regional tensions. The ISPR noted that this partnership aligns with broader efforts to boost defense collaboration and regional security.&nbsp;Earlier this year, Pakistan claimed its air force had shot down six Indian fighter jets during a skirmish in May. India acknowledged losing aircraft but disputed the number downed.

Iraqi commander seeks PAF’s help in building a modernized training paradigm, says the Pakistan military.

Articles tagged with "Pakistan Air Force"

Pakistan air chief meets Saudi military leadership, vows deeper defense cooperation

Pakistan president, PM approve Field Marshal Asim Munir as first CDF, extend air chief tenure

At passing out parade, Pakistan air chief hails PAF victory over India

Pakistan’s JF-17 takes the spotlight at Dubai Airshow, MoU signed with friendly country

Pakistan, Iraq air forces deepen ties through joint training