ISLAMABAD: A high level Iraqi delegation led by Lieutenant General Ahmed Dawood Salman, General Secretary, Ministry of Defence Iraq, called on Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force in his office today.
The meeting underscored several key areas of mutual interest with a special focus on bilateral training and exploration of further avenues of collaboration in the aviation industry.
During the meeting, the Air Chief outlined the framework of PAF’s comprehensive modernization strategy involving procurements of technological equipment from allied countries, upgradation of critical infrastructure, restructuring of training and indigenization efforts in order to address contemporary air warfare challenges.
He further said that Pakistan and Iraq enjoy longstanding religious, cultural and historical bonds which are manifested through strong ties between the Air Forces of both the countries. Chief of the Air Staff reiterated his resolve to further enhance the existing bilateral relations in military-to-military cooperation, strategic alliance and the training domain.
He reaffirmed that Pakistan Air Force will extend all out support in imparting nursery to tactical level training to Iraqi aircrew. The Air Chief assured the visiting dignitary that PAF remains committed to provide capacity-building assistance to the Iraqi Air Force in upgradation of it’s human resource, maintenance parameters and operational training through joint exercises.
Lieutenant General Ahmed Dawood Salman, commended the professionalism of PAF and acknowledged its rising indigenous capacity in the aviation industry. Both sides concurred to further optimize the existing military ties between the two countries with a specific focus on advanced tactical training, emerging technologies and strengthening operational competencies.
The visit of Iraqi delegation to Pakistan signifies a resolute commitment from both nations to reinforce their existing partnership through fostering collaboration and promoting robust relations between their respective Air Forces.
