Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu met with a high level delegation headed by Lieutenant General (Special Forces) Ahmed Dawood Salman, General Secy of MoD, Iraq and Lieutenant General (Pilot) Shehab Jahid Ali, Commander of Iraqi Air Force.
The meeting underscored the commitment to bolster cooperation between the two brotherly nations, with primary focus on training and advancements in the aviation industry.
General Secy of MoD, Iraq and Commander of Iraqi Air Force lauded the innovative strides & indigenization efforts of the Pakistan Air Force under the current leadership.
They also commended the professionalism of the PAF and appreciated Pakistan's efforts in promoting regional peace.
During the meeting, Chief of the Air Staff reiterated PAF's unwavering support in enhancing the capacity of the Iraqi Air Force, offering comprehensive training programs ranging from foundational to tactical levels for Iraqi pilots.
The Air Chief assured the Iraqi dignitaries that PAF would continue to provide training and technical support to Iraqi Air Force in meeting its air power requirements.
Plans were also discussed for training Iraqi aircrew at the prestigious Flying Instructors School, enabling them to become Qualified Flying Instructors and training of Iraqi officers at College of Air Defence.
Emphasizing on the tangible support extended by PAF, the Air Chief noted the recent delivery of 12 Super Mushshak trainer aircraft to the Iraqi Air Force, with approvals in place for the forthcoming delivery of an additional 12 aircraft.
The commanders also agreed to explore further avenues of cooperation including the JF-17 program paving the way for a high-level delegation from Iraq to visit Pakistan in the near future.
The visit of Chief of the Air Staff to Iraq marks a significant milestone in the longstanding partnership between Pakistan & Iraq, promising mutual growth and collaboration in the realm of aviation.
The shared commitment to excellence and professionalism sets the stage for a robust and enduring alliance between the two nations
