ISLAMABAD: Saudi Arabia’s Chief of the General Staff General Fayyad bin Hamed Al-Ruwaili, visited Air Headquarters, where he called on Pakistan Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu on Thursday.
During the meeting, they discussed matters of mutual interest, including defense cooperation, and geo-strategic situation.
Upon his arrival, a meticulously turned-out contingent of the Pakistan Air Force extended a guard of honor to General Fayyad bin Hamed Al-Ruwaili. Subsequently, the distinguished guest was introduced to the Principal Staff Officers, said a press release issued by the media wing of the Pakistan Air Force.
During their meeting, the Chief of the Air Staff shared Pakistan’s pragmatic policy decisions aimed at modernizing the Pakistan Air Force. This modernization drive focuses on the intelligent acquisition of niche technologies, with special emphasis on artificial intelligence, cyber capabilities, space endeavors, electronic warfare, and infrastructure enhancements. The revitalization of operational and training fields is also a key aspect of this initiative.
Highlighting the deep-rooted bonds between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, the Air Chief emphasized the significance of Saudi Arabia in the Muslim world and as a vital strategic partner.
He underlined the enduring religious, cultural, and historical connections between the two nations, which are mirrored in their robust bilateral relations. He reaffirmed his unwavering dedication to strengthening the existing ties, particularly in the realms of military-to-military cooperation, joint exercises, and collaborative training.
The Air Chief conveyed, “Pakistan values its strong diplomatic, economic, and defense relationship with Saudi Arabia, which is based on convergence on all important issues relating to regional peace, security, and stability.”
Saudi Arabia Chief Lauds Pakistan’s Progress in Defense
General Fayyad bin Hamed Al-Ruwaili, the Chief of General Staff of the Saudi Armed Forces, commended the remarkable progress achieved by the Pakistan Air Force, particularly in terms of indigenization, and lauded the professionalism of PAF personnel.
He expressed his commitment to further enhancing bilateral ties across all levels and expressed his desire to deepen cooperation in various fields, including training and emerging technologies within the aviation industry.
The Saudi delegation also had the opportunity to visit various installations and technological infrastructure, including PAF’s National ISR & Integrated Air Operations Centre (NIIAOC), PAF’s Cyber Command, and the National Aerospace Science and Technology Park (NASTP). These visits provided insights into PAF’s operational capabilities and ongoing modernization projects.
The Air Chief outlined his vision for the National Aerospace Science & Technology Park project, highlighting its role in fostering collaborative research, development, and innovation in aviation, space, IT, cyber, and computing domains, with benefits for both Pakistan and its partners.
The meeting between the Chief of the Air Staff and the Chief of General Staff of the Saudi Armed Forces underscores the unwavering commitment of both nations to elevate their strategic partnership through continued dialogue and collaboration.
