Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have agreed to further strengthen bilateral defence cooperation, with a focus on expanding joint training, operational collaboration, and the exchange of professional expertise, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Thursday.
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The understanding was reached during the official visit of Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where he met Commander of the Royal Saudi Air Force Lieutenant General Turki bin Bander bin Abdulaziz and Chief of the General Staff of Saudi Arabia General Fayiadh bin Hameed Al-Rowaily.
Upon arrival, Air Chief Marshal Sidhu was accorded a guard of honour by a contingent of the Royal Saudi Air Force, reflecting the strong military-to-military ties between the two countries.
During the meetings, both sides discussed bilateral defence cooperation, the prevailing regional security situation, and future avenues of collaboration. The delegations expressed satisfaction over the existing level of cooperation and agreed to further enhance engagement through joint training programmes, operational coordination, and the exchange of professional expertise. They also highlighted the Pakistan–Saudi defence agreement as a symbol of mutual trust and enduring brotherly relations.
Air Chief Marshal Sidhu underscored the historic and fraternal ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia and reiterated his commitment to strengthening cooperation through bilateral and multilateral military exercises. 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.
The Saudi defence leadership praised the professionalism, operational excellence, and combat readiness of the Pakistan Air Force. They expressed keen interest in enhanced joint training and operational collaboration, particularly in the area of multi-domain operations, and appreciated Pakistan’s constructive role in promoting regional peace and stability.
According to the ISPR, the visit underscored the depth of the enduring strategic partnership between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia and reflected the shared resolve of both nations to further strengthen cooperation in the defence and aviation sectors.
