Islamabad:
A few days after the unprecedented visit of the army in Washington, the marshal of the air chief Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, chief of the air staff, undertook an official visit to the United States in another important development aimed at strengthening bilateral defense cooperation and to advance mutual interests.
It was the first visit of a PAF chief in service in more than a decade, indicating the military commitments between Pakistan and the United States.
“The large-scale visit has marked a strategic stage in the cooperation of the Pakistani defense and proved to be decisive in the deepening of institutional links in addition to resolving the main regional and global security problems,” a statement published here by inter-service public relations (ISPR) on Tuesday.
There was a renewal of interests for Pakistan after having inflicted strong military losses in India in May during the four -day military conflict. The spectacular success of Pakistan Air Force against the Indian Air Force in the night of May 6 and 7 has taken many Western countries, in particular Western countries.
According to the ISPR, during the visit, the Chief of the Air Staff held a series of high-level meetings with American military and political leaders. At Pentagon, he called Ms. Kelli L. Seybolt, Air Force secretary (international affairs), and General David W. Allvin, head of staff of the United States Air Force. During the meetings, discussions focused on the progress of bilateral military cooperation, improving interoperability and exploration of trading and common technology.
The Chief of the Air Staff highlighted the historic and multifaceted relationship between Pakistan and the United States, in particular in the fields of defense and security cooperation. He reiterated his determination to further improve existing links in the fields of military cooperation and military training between the air forces of the two countries.
The two parties also agreed to continue high -level military commitments in the future thanks to higher level interactions. “These interactions are deemed crucial to maintain momentum in the cooperative efforts underway in the areas of joint training, operational exercises and military exchange programs between the two nations,” he said.
In the US State Department, the Air Head met Mr. Brown L. Stanley from the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs and Mr. Eric Meyer from the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs.
The meetings served as a forum to underline the constructive role of Pakistan in the promotion of regional stability, its firm commitment to the efforts to combat terrorism and its nuanced perspective on the evolution of the geopolitical dynamics of South and Central Asia. As part of his commitments to Capitol Hill, the Chief of Air Staff held substantial dialogues with eminent members of the American Congress, notably Mr. Mike Turner, Mr. Rich McCormick and Mr. Bill Huizenga.
These interactions have strengthened the importance of robust engagement in strengthening bilateral relations and provided a precious opportunity to share Pakistan’s opinions on strategic challenges, regional security frameworks and the impact of emerging technologies on defense cooperation.
Stressing the status of Pakistan as a nation loving peace, the chief of air has reaffirmed the country’s lasting sacrifices and notable operational achievements in the world war against terrorism, while also describing the evolutionary security calculation of Pakistan in response to the regional geopolitical landscape changing quickly.
“The historic visit not only reaffirmed Pakistan Air Force’s commitment to promote regional and global peace, but has also laid the foundations for renewed institutional collaboration, strategic dialogue and increased interoperability between Pakistan Air Force and United States Air Force,” said ISPR.
Meanwhile, the Lieutenant-General of the South African Air Force Wiseman, Simo Mbambo, called the chief of the air staff, the Pakistan Air Force, the marshal of the air chief Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu at the air seat, Islamabad.
Upon his arrival, an intelligently extinguished contingent of Pakistan Air Force presented the guard of honor to Lieutenant-General Wiseman Simo Mbambo, said a statement published by the ISPR.
During the meeting, the air personnel chief underlined the shared values and aspirations which constitute the foundation of the deep friendship between Pakistan and South Africa.
The head of air has reiterated PAF’s commitment to strengthen the air combat capacities of the South African Air Force thanks to training and capacity building initiatives.
Lieutenant-General Wiseman Mbambo praised the robust operational will of the PAF, his multi-domain war capacities and his success in maintaining a credible deterrent posture.
Recognizing the values and interests shared between the two air forces, the South African air chief expressed a strong desire to strengthen and further institutionalize the formal relationship between the South African air forces and the PAF.
One of the central themes of discussions was the overhaul of the South African Air Force training regime. In this context, Lieutenant-General Mbambo asked for the support of Pakistan Air Force in the development of a modern and complete training framework, starting at the academy level.
The visiting dignitary also expressed his sincere desire for participation of South African Air Force officers as observers in the main operational exercises of the PAF.
Recognizing the technical excellence and the profitable maintenance capacities offered by the PAF engineering infrastructure, it also transmitted the intention of the South African Air Force to undertake the inspection and maintenance of its C-130 fleet in Pakistan.
