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

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.

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.

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.