COMMANDER OF THE SRI LANKAN AIR FORCE CALLS ON AIR CHIEF

COMMANDER OF THE SRI LANKAN AIR FORCE CALLS ON AIR CHIEF

25 October, 2024: Exercise Indus Shield-2024, the largest military exercise in the region, featured the participation of various Air Chiefs and high ranking military officials from allied countries to witness the mega event. The exercise highlighted the premier multi-domain warfighting capabilities of Pakistan Air Force and reinforced the importance of collaboration among air forces worldwide.

During his official visit to witness Exercise Indus Shield 2024, Air Marshal Rajapaksa Appuhamilage Udeni Priyadarshana Rajapaksa, the Commander of the Sri Lankan Air Force, called on Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force at Air Headquarters, Islamabad. The meeting covered a wide array of topics pertaining operational matters in the context of regional security.

On his arrival at Air Headquarters, a smartly turned-out contingent of Pakistan Air Force presented guard of honour to Air Marshal Rajapaksa Appuhamilage Udeni Priyadarshana Rajapaksa.

During the meeting, Chief of the Air Staff shared insight into various ongoing modernization projects of Pakistan Air Force's operational construct, force goals and plans for the force structure with a keen focus on future warfare. Appreciating the participation of Sri Lankan Air Force representatives at Exercise Indus Shield, the Air Chief highlighted that both the countries enjoy unprecedented friendly relations and reiterated his resolve to further enhance the existing bilateral ties in military to military cooperation, maintenance support and training domains aimed at enhancing capacity building of the Sri Lankan Air Force.

The Commander of Sri Lankan Air Force commended PAF’s achievements in indigenization and its strategic transformation into a Next Generation Air Force under current leadership. Terming Indus Shield 2024 a world class exercise, the visiting dignitary lauded the professionalism of PAF personnel and praised the role played by Pakistan Air Force in the organization and flawless execution of the mega event to bring together all the top air powers from across the globe. The Sri Lankan Air Chief also expressed his deep desire to further optimize the existing military ties between the two countries with a specific focus on training, maintenance and strengthening operational competencies.

Later, the dignitary visited National Aerospace Science and Technology Park along with National ISR & Integrated Air Operations Centre and PAF Cyber Command, where he was breifed about the operational capabilities of Pakistan Air Force.

The meeting between the Chief of the Air Staff, PAF and Commander of Sri Lankan Air Force signifies the commitment between the Armed Forces of both the countries in working together to further strengthen their bilateral ties in the realm of Air Force to Air Force cooperation contributing to regional peace and stability.