ISLAMABAD: General Ìsmail Güneykaya, Combat Commander Turkish Air Force, called on Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force, in his office yesterday.

The meeting underscored several key areas of mutual interest, with a special focus on bilateral training, the progress of current joint ventures, and the exploration of further avenues of collaboration in the aviation industry.

During the meeting, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force, shared the framework of the PAF’s comprehensive modernization strategy involving the integration of emerging technologies, bolstering critical infrastructure, and a comprehensive restructuring of its training set-up in order to address contemporary air warfare challenges.

The Air Chief highlighted that both brotherly countries enjoy long-standing religious and historic ties, which are manifested through unprecedented strategic partnerships. Appreciating the participation of the Turkish Air Force in Exercise Indus Shield, the Air Chief reiterated his resolve to further enhance the existing bilateral relations in military-to-military cooperation, strategic alliances, and the training domain.

The Air Chief further remarked that PAF pilots are playing an active role in imparting nursery-to-tactical level training to Turkish aircrew. He reiterated the Pakistan Air Force’s commitment to provide training and capacity-building assistance to the Turkish Air Force.

General Ìsmail Güneykaya acknowledged the impressive progress made by the Pakistan Air Force in developing a robust indigenous aviation industry and reiterated his resolve to further enhance the existing ties between the two brotherly countries. In order to cultivate tactical brilliance for Turkish aircrew, the visiting dignitary expressed profound interest in exploring avenues for training Turkish Air Force pilots in the Combat Commanders Course being offered at the prestigious Air Power Center of Excellence.

Both the commanders also agreed to explore further areas of cooperation through bilateral and multilateral military exercises, with a special focus on collaboration in technology-based future programs. During his visit, the Combat Commander Turkish Air Force also visited various installations and technological infrastructure established at Air Headquarters, Islamabad, including the PAF’s National ISR and Integrated Air Operations Centre and PAF’s Cyber Command.

He also visited the National Aerospace Science and Technology Park, which is a major 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.

The visit of Combat Commander Turkish Air Force to Pakistan signifies a resolute commitment from both nations to reinforce their strategic partnership through fostering collaboration and promoting robust relations between their respective air forces.

Published in The Daily National Courier, December, 14 2023

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