When air force aces meet in Pakistan
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Pakistan is currently hosting the second of the ACES MEET series, a two-week aerial exercise in which the air forces of several allies are present as participants. Saudi Arabia, the US and Singapore have brought their combat aircraft and fairly large contingents of pilots and technical staff. Egypt, Jordan and Bahrain have sent observers.
The Royal Saudi Air Force contingent, which consists of 180 officials, including pilots and technicians, arrived with several Tornado multirole combat aircraft and the Lockheed C-130 Hercules.
The Pakistan Air Force will be using its F-16 and JS-17 Thunder fighter jets. For the new chief of the air staff, who recently took command, hosting the exercise is a great beginning.
The objective of the ACES MEET 2021 exercise is to maximize the combat readiness of participating countries through air-to-air combat training with particular focus on counterterrorism operations. The first exercise in this multinational series was organized by the Pakistan Air Force in 2017.
Pakistan can justifiably be proud of being one of the few countries to have successfully countered terrorism and its air force has played a commendable role in the fight by with hundreds of air missions, locating and destroying insurgent hideouts in the tribal belt bordering Afghanistan.
Despite having a smaller number of fighter aircraft and supporting logistics than India, Pakistan’s Air Force has been able to defend the integrity of its air space and borders with high professional competence, morale and better training than the Indian Air Force.
Talat Masood
The US Air Force, too, has extraordinary experience with warfare in Vietnam in the distant past and more recently in Afghanistan. While at the political level these US military engagements have not won much acclaim, they had provided considerable experience.
Another interesting aspect of the ACES MEET exercises is that they provide an opportunity for the participating air forces to assess each other’s professional and institutional strengths and weaknesses. They also give a rough idea of the weapon systems and military preparedness of each country.
The Chinese Air Force, understandably, is not participating in the exercise as air forces involved in it are aligned to the West. But Pakistan’s partner, China, understands that it has the ability to retain and develop a strong strategic partnership while maintaining close political, economic and military ties with the Western and Muslim states. It is not a zero-sum game in a complex world where multiple cross-cutting interests are at play. The Air Forces of China and Pakistan have been holding their annual exercises Saheen-1. Their last joint drill in December was a message to India, highlighting the strong strategic relations between Islamabad and Beijing.
Despite having a smaller number of fighter aircraft and supporting logistics than India, Pakistan’s Air Force has been able to defend the integrity of its air space and borders with high professional competence, morale and better training than the Indian Air Force.
However, the Indian Air Force’s latest acquisition of Rafale jets and other modern equipment is a cause of concern. Considering the unpredictable nature of its relations with India, Pakistan should strengthen its defense by acquiring newer generation fighter aircraft and equipment.
The Pakistan Air Force is conveying several messages through the ACES MEET exercise: that its standard of training, morale and combat readiness are high; that Pakistan has no aggressive designs; and that its military is in a position to fully defend the country’s integrity.
Of special significance is the large and impressive participation of the Saudi delegation, which manifests the strong ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. The Pakistan Air Force has already taken part in several exercises with the Royal Saudi Air Force. Their professional bonds are strong and each of them benefits from another’s experience and expertise.
ACES MEET demonstrates that Pakistan is not an isolated and closed country. It also is a reflection of the level of confidence of its military despite constraints and challenges that the country has faced.
*Talat Masood is a retired Lieutenant General from Pakistan Army and an eminent scholar on national security and political issues.
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