ISLAMABAD: Chief of Staff Qatar Armed Forces Lieutenant General (Pilot) Salem Hamad Eqail Al-Nabet called on Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, at Air Headquarters, Islamabad on Wednesday.
During the meeting, both discussed evolving regional security and geo-strategic environment, avenues of defense cooperation in the sector of technology, and other issues of mutual interest.
On his arrival with a delegation, a smartly turned-out contingent of PAF presented a guard of honour to Qatar’s Chief of Staff. He was also introduced to the Principal Staff Officers of PAF.
During the meeting, the Chief of the Air Staff shared the broad contours of his vision concerning Pakistan Air Force’s modernization drive to further augment the current operational capability required in contemporary hybrid warfare, particularly in Artificial Intelligence, Cyber and Space domains, and Niche technologies.
He also discussed different ongoing projects of PAF’s operational construct, force goals, and plans for the structure with a focus on future warfare.
Qatar Air Force Contingent Appreciated
Lauding the participation of the Qatar Air Force contingent in Exercise Indus Shield at an operational air base of PAF, he said that both nations enjoy historic and unprecedented ties.
Army Chief reiterated his resolve to further enhance the existing bilateral relations in military-to-military cooperation and training domains.
The Chief of Staff Qatar Armed Forces commended the professionalism of PAF personnel and the exceptional progress made by the force over the years, particularly through indigenization.
He also lauded the dynamic efforts of Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu in steering PAF towards modernization.
Both sides discussed further optimizing the existing military relations between the two nations, with a special focus on advanced tactical training, emerging technologies, and strengthening operational competencies, particularly in the spheres of electronic warfare and cyber technology.
Both military leaders discussed the potential for joint military drills and exchange programs with an aim to facilitate the exchange of expertise, increasing interoperability and fostering closer relations between Air Forces of both countries.
The Chief of Staff Qatar Armed Forces also visited different installations and technological infrastructure set up at Air Headquarters, Islamabad, including PAF’s National ISR and Integrated Air Operations Centre and PAF’s Cyber Command.
