1. KARACHI: Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, General Sahir Shamshad Mirza visited operational air base of Pakistan Air Force to witness on-going aerial exercise Indus Shield-2023. On his arrival at base, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee was received by Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, Chief of Air Staff Pakistan Air Force.

Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee was briefed on Air Power Center of Excellence training facility as well as scope of exercise which aims to project mutual cooperation between participating air forces and consolidate upon modern concepts of aerial warfare. Air Chief appreciated utmost support extended by General Sahir Shamshad Mirza and lauded his efforts in promotion of tri-services synergy. He highlighted significance of 14 nation Exercise Indus Shield which in addition to boosting operational readiness of PAF, would also prepare participants for contemporary warfare challenges. He reiterated that exercise employing cutting edge niche technologies and hightech fighters not only offers unique opportunity for participating air forces to bring their unparalleled skills and operational capabilities to spotlight, but will also deepen mutual understanding between participating contingents to foster connectivity and cooperation. SChief of Air Staff said, “Current global security situation coupled with changing dynamics of warfare calls for enhanced partnership among armed forces. Exercise Indus Shield offers an invaluable learning experience of aerial warfare employment tactics to air and ground crew through simulation of real-time war scenarios and varied combat missions”.

Interacting with participants of exercise, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee accentuated paramount importance of multinational air exercises in pursuit of common objectives amidst ever-evolving dynamics of air warfare. He lauded professionalism of participants of exercise and appreciated efforts of Air Power Center of Excellence in orchestrating this monumental exercise, which would not only fortify existing partnerships among key allies but would also enhance interoperability among participating Air Forces. Visiting dignitary also admired dynamic leadership of Air Chief, whose firm resolve and relentless efforts paved way for this exercise to be one of mega aerial exercises of region.

Exercise Indus Shield-2023 is witnessing participation from 14 esteemed Air Forces including Pakistan, Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE, Egypt, Oman, Bahrain, Azerbaijan, Indonesia, Morocco, Uzbekistan, China and Hungary.

Exercise offers unique opportunity for participating air forces to bring their unparalleled skills and operational capabilities on single platform. Likewise, meticulous planning and execution of Exercise Indus Shield serves as testament to vision of esteemed Chief of Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force, in recognizing pivotal role played by PAF in advancing technology, modernising its capabilities and deploying contemporary combat tactics to effectively address shared challenges in aerial defence.

Published in The Daily National Courier, October, 20 2023

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