ISLAMABAD: A Pakistan Air Force contingent, including advanced F-16 Block-52 fighter aircraft, arrived in Saudi Arabia to take part in the multinational air combat exercise Spears of Victory-2026, a military statement said on Monday.
According to a press release issued by the PAF media wing, the exercise is being hosted at King Abdulaziz Air Base and includes participation from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, France, Italy, Greece, Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America.
“It offers a robust platform to enhance interoperability, operational synergy, mutual understanding, and capacity building among participating Air Forces, particularly in large force employment, night composite air operations, integrated ISR, and operations in advanced electronic warfare environments,” it said.
Pakistan Air Force contingent comprising #F16 Block-52 fighter aircraft, alongside dedicated air and ground crew, has arrived at King Abdulaziz Air Base, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, to participate in multinational aerial combat Exercise Spears of Victory-2026@DGPR_PAF… pic.twitter.com/hIooPfvGhN
— Radio Pakistan (@RadioPakistan) January 19, 2026
Through participation in this multinational exercise, the Pakistan Air Force aims to enhance interoperability with partner air forces while validating its operational readiness in a contested, technology-driven battlespace.
For this international deployment, PAF fighter aircraft executed a non-stop flight from their home bases in Pakistan to Saudi Arabia, underscoring the Air Force’s long-range operational reach and expeditionary capability.
The statement said PAF pilots flying F-16 Block-52 aircraft equipped with modern avionics and beyond-visual-range capabilities would be “pitched against aircrew of participating Air Forces operating a wide array of sophisticated combat aircraft” during the exercise.
The participation of the Pakistan Air Force contingent in Exercise Spears of Victory–2026 not only reflects PAF’s steadfast commitment to regional and international military cooperation but also highlights its professional excellence and proven ability to operate effectively in complex and demanding operational environments alongside leading contemporary air forces.
According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) the drill led by the Royal Saudi Air Force is being held at the Air Warfare Centre in the Eastern Region from January 18 to February 5.
It said the exercise aims to boost combat readiness, facilitate the exchange of expertise in planning and execution, and strengthen joint military coordination.
The drills will focus on countering current and emerging threats, enhancing tactical capabilities, and promoting integrated operational strategies.
Participating forces will execute joint and combined tactical operations designed to simulate current and emerging threats and to unify the concept of multi-domain joint air operations in an advanced electronic warfare environment.
The Air Warfare Centre is one of the region’s most advanced training facilities, providing a sophisticated environment that simulates real operational conditions and supports the development and evaluation of combat capabilities.
The deployment of PAF aircraft takes place in the backdrop of steadily strengthening defence ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
In recent years, the two countries have significantly expanded military cooperation through joint exercises, training exchanges, and formal defence agreements, including the signing of a mutual defence cooperation pact last year.
Saudi Arabia continues to be one of Pakistan’s closest defense and security partners in the Middle East, with sustained and comprehensive engagement across the air, land, and naval domains.
