A delegation led by General Ziya Cemal Kadıoğlu, Commander of Turkish Air Force (TURaF), visited Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force, in his office on October 18th. According to Pakistan Air Forces’ press release, the meeting covered a wide array of matters related to a geo-strategic situation, the progress of current joint ventures and the exploration of further avenues of collaboration in the aviation industry. The discussion also involved an exchange of insight on the operational training of their respective air forces in the backdrop of PAF’s ongoing aerial exercise, Indus Shield 2023. Both commanders agreed to explore further avenues of bilateral cooperation, including collaboration for joint production of military hardware with a particular focus on unmanned aerial platforms.
During the meeting, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force, shared the framework of PAF’s comprehensive modernisation strategy involving procurements of technological equipment from allied countries, critical infrastructure and a comprehensive restructuring of its training set-up, to address contemporary air warfare challenges. The Air Chief highlighted that the brotherly countries enjoy long-standing religious and historical ties manifested through unprecedented strategic partnership. Appreciating the participation of the Turkish Air Force in Exercise Indus Shield, the Air Chief reiterated his resolve to enhance further the existing bilateral relations in military-to-military cooperation, strategic alliance and the training domain. The Air Chief further remarked that PAF pilots actively provide basic and tactical training to Turkish aircrew. He reiterated the Pakistan Air Force’s commitment to provide training and capacity-building assistance to the Turkish Air Force.
Turkish Commander Kadıoğlu expressed keen interest in the National Aerospace Science and Technology Park and appreciated the unwavering commitment of the Air Chief in making this project a huge success. The Turkish Air Force Commander also visited various installations and technological infrastructure established at Air Headquarters, Islamabad, including PAF’s National ISR and Integrated Air Operations Centre and PAF’s Cyber Command. General Ziya Cemal Kadıoğlu also visited the National Aerospace Science and Technology Park, which is a significant landmark in Pakistan’s journey towards progress and is all set to play a pivotal role in shaping the country’s aerospace industry, fostering strategic partnerships and contributing to the economic growth of Pakistan.
