Islamabad: Exercise Indus Shield-2024 recently convened, attracting high-ranking military officials, including various Air Chiefs from allied nations, showcasing the multi-domain warfighting capabilities of the Pakistan Air Force and emphasizing the importance of international air force collaboration.
According to Inter Services Public Relations, the exercise was marked by a significant meeting between Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, Chief of the Air Staff of the Pakistan Air Force, and his counterpart from Sri Lanka, Air Marshal Rajapaksa Appuhamilage Udeni Priyadarshana Rajapaksa. The meeting, which took place at Air Headquarters in Islamabad, focused on regional security and operational matters.
The visiting Sri Lankan Air Chief was honored with a guard of honor by a contingent of the Pakistan Air Force upon his arrival. During their discussions, Air Chief Marshal Sidhu outlined various ongoing modernization initiatives within the Pakistan Air Force and reiterated the commitment to enhancing bilateral military cooperation with Sri Lanka, particularly in training, maintenance support, and capacity building.
Air Marshal Rajapaksa commended the Pakistan Air Force’s achievements in indigenization and its transformation into a next-generation force. He highlighted the exemplary training value and operational standards of Exercise Indus Shield-2024, expressing his admiration for the professionalism of the PAF personnel and their role in flawlessly executing the exercise that brought together top air powers globally. The Sri Lankan Air Chief also expressed a keen interest in deepening military ties, focusing on enhancing training, maintenance capabilities, and operational competencies.
The visit also included a tour of the National Aerospace Science and Technology Park, the National ISR and Integrated Air Operations Centre, and PAF Cyber Command, where the dignitary was briefed on the operational capabilities of the Pakistan Air Force.
This meeting underscores the ongoing commitment to strengthening the bilateral relationship between the air forces of Pakistan and Sri Lanka, further contributing to regional peace and stability.