Military-to-military relations between Pakistan and the United States appear to be gaining renewed momentum, marked by joint training exercises, major defence sales and unusually warm public remarks from US President Donald Trump towards Pakistan’s military leadership.
According to a statement issued by the US Central Command (Centcom), American and Pakistani troops this week concluded a joint training exercise at Pakistan’s National Counter-Terrorism Center in Pabbi. The exercise, titled Inspired Gambit, focused on combined infantry skills, tactical coordination and counterterrorism operations.
“Training exercises like this between the US and Pakistan strengthen our long-standing defense ties,” Centcom said, describing the drills as part of broader efforts to enhance interoperability between the two armies.
The exercise follows other signs of renewed engagement between the defence establishments of both countries. In December, the United States approved the sale of advanced technology and upgrade packages for Pakistan’s F-16 fighter jets in a deal valued at about $686 million. The approval came months after Pakistan and India fought a brief but intense five-day conflict in May 2025, which raised regional security concerns.
Pakistan operates an estimated 70 to 80 F-16 aircraft, including upgraded Block-15 jets, former Jordanian aircraft and newer Block-52+ models. US officials have long described the F-16 programme as a central pillar of bilateral military cooperation.
Political messaging from Washington has also underscored the shift. President Trump has repeatedly praised Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, referring to him publicly as his “favourite field marshal” on several occasions.
At a year-end news briefing on December 31, Trump said Pakistani leaders had credited him with preventing a wider conflict following the May hostilities with India. “The head of Pakistan and a highly respected general — he is a field marshal — and also the prime minister of Pakistan said that President Trump saved 10 million lives, maybe more,” he said.
Trump made similar remarks during the Sharm el-Sheikh Peace Summit in October 2025, where he acknowledged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and again highlighted Munir’s role. Since June 2025, Trump has publicly praised Pakistan’s army chief at least ten times.
In June last year, Trump hosted Field Marshal Munir at the White House for a lunch meeting — the first time a sitting US president formally received Pakistan’s army chief. The meeting took place amid growing friction with India over Trump’s repeated assertion that he personally intervened to halt the May conflict between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.
Analysts suggest Washington’s renewed focus on Middle Eastern security, including Gaza and Iran, as well as Pakistan Air Force’s performance during the conflict with India, have contributed to a more pragmatic US approach towards Islamabad’s military leadership.
Pakistan has also signalled interest in joining a proposed US-led international stabilisation force for Gaza, an initiative championed by Trump, further highlighting Islamabad’s willingness to expand security cooperation.
Pakistan was designated a major non-NATO ally after the September 11, 2001 attacks and played a key role in the US-led war on terror. Relations later deteriorated amid accusations of mistrust and policy divergence. However, Trump’s second term has seen a noticeable change in tone.
In March, addressing a joint session of Congress, Trump publicly thanked Pakistan for assisting in the arrest of an alleged perpetrator of the Abbey Gate bombing at Kabul airport in August 2021, which killed 13 US service members.
Recent joint exercises, arms deals and high-level engagement suggest that defence relations between Washington and Islamabad may be entering a new and more transactional phase.
