ISLAMABAD: Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force, during his official visit to the Republic of Uzbekistan, held high-level meetings with Defence Minister Lieutenant General Botir Qudrathodjayev Bahromovich and Major General Burkhanov Akhmad Jamolovich, Deputy Defence Minister and Commander of Air Defence & Air Force of Uzbekistan. The engagements focused on bilateral defence relations, military collaboration and prospects for expanded cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
During the meeting with the Defence Minister of Uzbekistan, the discussions encompassed regional security, existing defence ties and prospects for institutional collaboration. The Air Chief highlighted the deep-rooted historical, cultural and brotherly ties between Pakistan and Uzbekistan, emphasising closer defence relations as a means of promoting regional peace and stability.
Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, Chief of the Air Staff, #PakistanAirForce, during his official visit to the Republic of Uzbekistan, held high-level meetings with Defence Minister Lieutenant General Botir Qudrathodjayev Bahromovich and Major General Burkhanov Akhmad… pic.twitter.com/qDtpF7v9jV
— PAF Falcons (@PAFFalconsPK) November 14, 2026
The Uzbek Defence Minister underscored the importance of professional engagement, foster mutual learning and strengthen institutional cooperation to effectively address emerging security challenges. He lauded the professionalism, operational prowess and combat capabilities of the Pakistan Air Force, expressing keen interest in harnessing PAF’s expertise and human resource potential to enhance operational readiness of Uzbekistan Air Force.
In the subsequent meeting with Deputy Defence Minister and Commander of Air Defence & Air Force of Uzbekistan the interaction focused on Air Force-to-Air Force cooperation with special emphasis on joint military exercises, structured exchange programmes, sustained professional interactions and capacity building endeavours.
The Air Chief highlighted opportunities for enhanced cooperation in basic-to-tactical-level pilot training, technical training of maintenance personnel and aerospace-related technologies. Both sides also reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing operational readiness and broadening professional collaboration in emerging technologies by leveraging their respective expertise and technological capabilities.
The Air Chief’s visit to the Republic of Uzbekistan underscores Pakistan’s commitment to deepening its longstanding fraternal ties with Uzbekistan. The high-level meetings reflect the shared resolve to expand military collaboration and reinforce institutional cooperation contributing to regional peace, stability and security.
