The exercise was specifically aimed at validating and enhancing interoperability between Pakistan and China in dealing with contemporary air combat challenges….reports Asian Lite News
Pakistan and China have successfully concluded a bilateral air exercise, dubbed the Indus Shield-Chinese, designed to enhance the interoperability between their air forces, according to the Pakistani military. The exercise, which is a module of the larger Indus Shield 2024 military exercise, took place at a Pakistan Air Force (PAF) operational airbase.
The joint training witnessed significant participation from the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF), which brought advanced technologies, including the Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, J-16 and J-10C fighter jets equipped with Beyond Visual Range (BVR) capabilities, the HQ-22 surface-to-air defense system, the potent YTG-9 Airborne Electronic Warfare Platform, and the KJ-500 airborne early warning system. These were set against Pakistan’s J-10C and JF-17 Block-III fighter jets in simulated modern aerial combat scenarios.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the Pakistani military, highlighted that the successful execution of this large-scale exercise reflects the joint operational readiness of the Pakistan Air Force in collaboration with its allied nations.
The exercise was specifically aimed at validating and enhancing interoperability between Pakistan and China in dealing with contemporary air combat challenges. By engaging in various military tactics within a near-realistic, multi-domain operational training environment, both air forces were able to maximize their warfighting capabilities.
The broader Indus Shield 2024 exercise is recognized as the largest multinational regional exercise, featuring participation from 24 countries, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Turkey.
This comprehensive exercise seeks to foster greater interoperability and improve training methodologies using state-of-the-art facilities.
Simultaneously, Pakistan has initiated a joint military exercise with Malaysia named Harimau-Markhore II. This two-week exercise is being conducted at the National Counter-Terrorism Center in Pabbi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, focusing on enhancing bilateral relations and exchanging expertise between the two nations’ forces.
Additionally, Pakistan Navy Ship (PNS) Zulfiquar made a port call at Djibouti as part of a regional maritime security patrol. During the visit, the ship’s commanding officer engaged with Djibouti’s senior military leadership to explore collaborative opportunities.
The visit culminated in a Passage Exercise with the Djibouti Coast Guards to bolster interoperability. These activities underscore Pakistan’s ongoing commitment to fostering strong regional ties and enhancing joint operational capabilities with international partners.
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