ISLAMABAD: UAE Air Force Commander Major General Staff Pilot Ibrahim Nasser Mohamed Al-Alawi visited Pakistan’s Air Headquarters in Islamabad on Thursday to discuss regional security and defense cooperation between the two countries, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) said.
Al-Alawi’s visit takes place after Pakistan launched the Indus Shield 2023, a 14-nation exercise, at one of its operational bases in the country on Oct. 8. The exercise brought together aviation experts from several Middle Eastern countries including UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
Al-Alawi arrived at the Air Headquarters with a high-level delegation to call on Pakistan’s chief of air staff, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu.
“The meeting covered a wide array of matters pertaining to geo-strategic environment, regional security and the aspect of exploring new avenues to enhance bilateral defense cooperation,” the PAF said in a statement.
Sidhu highlighted various ongoing PAF projects, goals and plans for the air force’s structure with a keen focus on future warfare, the statement said.
He appreciated the UAE’s air force contingent for participating in the multi-nation Indus Shield exercise.
“The Air Chief highlighted that both countries enjoy unprecedented brotherly relations and reiterated his resolve to further enhance the existing bilateral ties in military to military cooperation, joint exercises and training domains,” the PAF added.
Al-Alawi expressed his “deep appreciation” for PAF’s achievements in indigenous capabilities and commended PAF personnel’s professionalism, the statement said.
“Both sides concurred to further optimize the existing military ties between the two countries with a specific focus on advanced tactical training, emerging technologies and strengthening operational competencies,” the PAF said.
The two representatives also discussed the potential for joint military exercises and exchange programs to facilitate the exchange of expertise, enhance interoperability and foster closer ties between the air forces of their countries, the statement said.
Al-Alawi visited different installations and technological infrastructure at the Air Headquarters after his meeting with Sidhu.