Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan Tuesday said Chinese Military Aviation Technology was at par with contemporary requirements and had full capacity to meet the challenges of modern warfare.
He was expressing his views after flying an air superiority sortie in a Hi-Tech Chinese fighter aircraft during ongoing exercise Shaheen IX, said a PAF press release.
Lauding the professionalism of Peoples Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) pilots, the Air Chief said the outstanding air combat skills of PLAAF pilots are reflective of robust and modern combat training program of PLAAF.
Air Chf Mshl Mujhahid Anwar Khan, Chief of Air Staff, PAF flew an Air Superiority sortie in a Hi-Tech Chinese fighter aircraft during Ex "Shaheen IX".#PAFShaheenIX pic.twitter.com/NBpo8hZWug
— DGPR (AIR FORCE) (@DGPR_PAF) December 22, 2020
Expressing his satisfaction over the conduct of the exercise, the Air Chief said that it was heartening to see the two Air Forces inter-operating across a wide spectrum of airpower employment options.
He also said that in modern times competition in the air domain centers not only around mastery of technology, but also on its artful application in both strategy and tactics.
Read more: China-Pakistan ‘Shaheen-IX’ exercise not targeting any third country: Chinese foreign ministry
He added that Shaheen series of exercises will go a long way in enhancing the professional skills and operational preparedness of both the Air Forces in addition to developing mutual understanding of each other’s combat skills and promoting inter-operability.
It is pertinent to mention that the joint Air Exercise Shaheen IX that commenced on Dec 09, 2020 has now entered its last phase.
The Pak-China joint Air Exercise "Shaheen IX" that commenced on 09 Dec, 2020 has now entered its last phase. pic.twitter.com/PzbhaPeB6x
— DGPR (AIR FORCE) (@DGPR_PAF) December 22, 2020
Pak-China signed defense cooperation MoU
Last month, the longtime allies signed an MoU to further deepen bilateral defense cooperation. The agreement was reached during Chinese Defense Minister Gen. Wei Fenghe’s visit to Pakistan.
Read more: Pak-China joint air exercise Shaheen-IX starts at Operational Air Base
Pakistan and China already have a strategic partnership, and recent changes in the region have pushed the two allies to closely cooperate with each other.
Wei’s visit was seen crucial amid an ongoing border standoff between China and India on the Himalayan border, as well as deepening of strategic ties between India and the US.
Courtesy: APP