Fighter jets of different countries participating in Spears of Victory exercise 2023 in Saudi Arabia. Image Credit: SPA

Islamabad: A contingent of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), including the JF-17 Thunder and F-16 jets, took part in the Exercise “Spears of Victory 2023” held in Saudi Arabia.

The exercise concluded on Friday at the Air Warfare Centre at King Abdul Aziz Air Base in the eastern region of Saudi Arabia.

“The PAF contingent consisted of pride of Pakistan, JF-17 Thunder, and F-16 aircraft which roared in the aerial boundaries of our Muslim brethren country while participating in the exercise,” the PAF said in a statement. The joint drills included several sorties, air manoeuvres and practical exercises.

Air forces from the US, United Kingdom, Pakistan, Qatar, Bahrain, Greece, and Jordan, participated in the third version of the exercise alongside the Saudi Air Force. The exercise saw the participation of all branches of the Saudi Armed Forces.

PAF personnel participating in Spears of Victory exercise in Saudi Arabia. Image Credit: PAF

Saudi Air Force Commander Lieutenant General Prince Turki bin Bandar bin Abdul Aziz, said: “The participating forces showed discipline, outstanding performance, and consistent implementation in the most complex threat scenarios, with which the participants provided a spectacular show of skills.”

The exercise was aimed at increasing military cooperation between the participating countries, raising combat readiness, and improving military and operational coordination.

Pakistan Air Force spokesperson said the exercise helped “provided a platform to practice integrated employment of combat and combat support assets, along with formulation/validation of tactics against contemporary threats.”

A Pakistan Air Force jet participates in the exercise. Image Credit: PAF

At the closing ceremony, Air Marshal Abdul Moeed Khan, PAF Deputy Chief of the Air Staff (Air Defence), praised the active participation of the PAF contingent.

During his interaction with the air and ground crew, he said: “The existing global security scenario coupled with the evolving dynamics of air warfare calls for an enhanced partnership between Pakistan and friendly countries.”

He added “international and regional strategic situations are undergoing profound changes with growing complexity in the security environment, and such exercises provide an opportunity to enhance interoperability in the face of shared challenges.”