Exercise Indus Shield features participation of air chiefs, military officers from allied countries

The Exercise Indus Shield-2024, featured the participation of various Air Chiefs and high-ranking military officials from allied countries to witness the mega event, ISPR said.

The exercise highlighted the premier multi-domain warfighting capabilities of the Pakistan Air Force and reinforced the importance of collaboration among air forces worldwide.

During his official visit to witness Exercise Indus Shield 2024, Air Marshal Rajapaksa Appuhamilage Udeni Priyadarshana Rajapaksa, the Commander of the Sri Lankan Air Force, called on Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force at Air Headquarters in Islamabad.

The meeting mulled over operational matters in the context of regional security, the ISPR said, adding that a smartly-turned-out contingent of Pakistan Air Force presented the guard of honour to Air Marshal Rajapaksa Appuhamilage Udeni Priyadarshana Rajapaksa.

During the meeting, the Chief of the Air Staff shared insight into various ongoing modernization projects of Pakistan Air Force's operational construct, force goals and plans for the force structure with a keen focus on future warfare.

Appreciating the participation of Sri Lankan Air Force representatives at Exercise Indus Shield, the Air Chief highlighted that both countries enjoy unprecedented friendly relations and reiterated his resolve to further enhance the existing bilateral ties in military-to-military cooperation, maintenance support and training domains aimed at enhancing capacity building of the Sri Lankan Air Force.

The Commander of the Sri Lankan Air Force commended the PAF’s achievements in indigenization and its strategic transformation into a Next Generation Air Force under the current leadership.

The visiting dignitary lauded the professionalism of PAF personnel and praised the role of Pakistan Air Force in the organization and flawless execution of the mega event to bring together all the top air powers from across the globe.

The Sri Lankan Air Chief also expressed his deep desire to further optimize the existing military ties between the two countries with a specific focus on basic and advanced training, maintenance and strengthening the operational competencies of the Sri Lankan Air Force.

The Chief of Air Staff of the Pakistan Air Force assured of all kinds of support to friendly Air Forces. Later, the dignitary visited the National Aerospace Science and Technology Park, along with the National ISR & Integrated Air Operations Centre and PAF Cyber Command, where he was briefed about the Pakistan Air Force's operational capabilities.

The meeting between the Chief of the Air Staff, PAF, and the Commander of the Sri Lankan Air Force signifies the commitment of the Armed Forces of both countries to working together to further strengthen their bilateral ties in the realm of Air Force-to-Air Force cooperation, contributing to regional peace and stability.