PAF Chief holds talks in Saudi Arabia to deepen defence and aviation ties

Pakistan’s Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu has held high-level talks with Saudi Arabia’s top military leadership to explore ways to expand defence and air force cooperation between the two long-standing allies, the Pakistan military said on Thursday.

During his visit to the Gulf Kingdom this week, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) chief met Royal Saudi Air Force Commander Lt Gen Turki bin Bander bin Abdulaziz and Saudi Chief of the General Staff General Fayiadh bin Hameed Al-Rowaily . The discussions focused on strengthening bilateral military ties, regional security dynamics and future avenues of defence collaboration.

According to the statement, the Saudi military leadership praised the “deep bond of fraternity” between the two countries and acknowledged the enduring cooperation between their air forces. Both sides expressed satisfaction over existing engagements and agreed to further enhance joint training programmes, operational collaboration and exchanges of professional expertise.

Saudi officials also conveyed keen interest in leveraging the PAF’s operational experience, particularly in the context of modern warfare that increasingly spans multiple domains such as cyber, space and electronic warfare. They appreciated Pakistan’s stated role in promoting regional peace and stability.

Sidhu highlighted the “historic and time-tested” relationship between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, rooted in shared religious values, mutual trust and strategic alignment. He reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to deepening military-to-military ties through bilateral and multilateral exercises, while outlining the PAF’s transformation into a multi-domain force integrating advanced technologies, artificial intelligence and cyber capabilities.

The Pakistan military said these enhanced capabilities were demonstrated during the May 2025 conflict with India, underscoring the PAF’s operational readiness and adaptability.

The visit comes amid evolving defence partnerships in the Middle East. Saudi Arabia maintains close military ties with Pakistan, including training, advisory roles and a strategic mutual defence agreement signed in September, under which any attack on one country is considered an attack on both.

At the same time, Saudi Arabia has significantly expanded its strategic engagement with India in recent years. New Delhi and Riyadh cooperate closely on defence manufacturing, naval exercises, counter-terrorism and intelligence sharing, reflecting India’s growing economic and geopolitical footprint in the Gulf. However, unlike Pakistan, India’s defence relationship with Saudi Arabia is not anchored in a mutual defence pact but is driven by broader strategic and economic convergence.

The Pakistan military said the defence agreement between Islamabad and Riyadh remains a cornerstone of their strategic partnership and reflects strong mutual trust. Both sides agreed to explore new areas of collaboration in defence and aviation, signalling continued alignment despite shifting regional dynamics.