Pakistan

Pak-China joint air exercise vital to increase combat readiness: Gen Qamar

Army chief says ‘Shaheen-IX’ will enable both air forces to face emerging geo-strategic challenges

NEWS DESK December 18, 2020

COAS lauded the professionalism and dedication of PAF. PHOTO: ISPR

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa visited on Friday an operational base of Pakistan Air Force (PAF) to witness Pakistan-China joint air exercise, titled “Shaheen-IX”, according to the military's media wing.

#COAS visited an Operational Base of Pakistan Air Force today to witness #Pakistan -China Joint Air Exercise “Shaheen-IX”. Shaheen-IX is 9th in the series of joint exercises between PAF & PLAAF which started in 2011 & are held in Pakistan & China on alternate basis. (1/4) pic.twitter.com/INvbCgXguh
— DG ISPR (@OfficialDGISPR) December 18, 2020

Shaheen-IX is 9th in the series of joint exercises between PAF and PLAAF [People's Liberation Army Air Force] which started in 2011 and are held in Pakistan and China on alternate basis, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.

Addressing participants, Gen Qamar said that the joint exercise will substantially improve combat capacity of the both air forces and also enhance interoperability between them with greater strength and harmony.

...Addressing the participants of exercise, COAS said that the joint exercise will improve combat capacity of both Air Forces substantially and also enhance interoperability between them with greater strength and harmony. COAS said that such joint training ventures are (2/4) pic.twitter.com/paacQeDDFB
— DG ISPR (@OfficialDGISPR) December 18, 2020

Such joint training ventures, the army chief, are vital to increase combat readiness of both countries to face emerging geo-strategic challenges.

While interacting with the base personnel, “The COAS lauded the professionalism and dedication of PAF and reiterated the importance of inter-services harmony and synergy for operational success”.

“PAF’s cutting edge aside, what makes it second to none is the high morale and thorough professionalism of its personnel,” the ISPR quoted Gen Qamar as saying.

Gen Qamar was received by Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan, chief of the Air Staff, PAF.