RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s air force chief has met Pakistan’s air force chief and discussed opportunities to expand aerospace cooperation between the two countries, said a statement issued by the Saudi Defence Ministry on Wednesday.
The meeting brought together senior military leaders from two close defence partners in the Gulf and South Asia. Prince Turki bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, a senior member of the Saudi royal family, has served as commander of the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) since February 2018, overseeing its modernisation, operations and regional military engagement.
Pakistan Air Force Chief, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar Sidhu, whose tenure was extended by two years in December 2025, is set to lead the PAF until March 2028.
“They discussed opportunities to enhance and develop fields of military cooperation between the two sides,” the Saudi defence ministry said after Abdulaziz received Sidhu.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia share close defence ties that include training exchanges, joint exercises and technical cooperation, particularly in air force operations.
In September 2025, both countries signed the mutual defence pact, further strengthening a decades-long security partnership. The agreement states that any aggression against either country shall be considered an aggression against both.
Furthermore, Pakistani military personnel have long served in advisory and training roles in the Kingdom, while both countries maintain regular consultations on regional security developments.
The Pakistan Air Force is widely regarded as one of the most professional in the region and has previously taken part in multinational air exercises hosted by Saudi Arabia.
The Royal Saudi Air Force, meanwhile, plays a key role in the Kingdom’s broader defence strategy, including air defence, surveillance and joint operational readiness.
Both countries describe their military cooperation as a cornerstone of their wider strategic partnership, which also encompasses economic collaboration, labour ties and regional diplomacy.
Saudi Arabia is also home to over 2.5 million Pakistani expatriates and remains the largest source of remittances for Pakistan’s $407 billion economy.
