RAWALPINDI: The eighth edition of the Pakistan-Russia joint military exercise, Druzhba-VIII, is currently underway from 15 to 27 September 2025, focusing on counterterrorism operations, a military statement said on Friday.
“The troops from both countries displayed the highest standards of professional excellence during the conduct,” according to a statement issued by the military’s media wing, Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), on Friday.
It added that the exercise was aimed at refining the drills, procedures, and techniques involved in counter terrorism operations with a focus on drone warfare, fighting in built-up areas, and counter-improvised explosive devices through joint training, besides harnessing the historic military-to-military relations among the friendly countries.
Pakistan and Russia have warmed up to each other in recent years through regular political, business, trade, and defence interactions. In March, a Russian navy flotilla arrived in the southern Pakistani port city of Karachi to conduct joint exercises with the Pakistan Navy.
