Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, NI (M), HJ, Chief of Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force, called on HRH Lieutenant General Turki bin Bander bin Abdulaziz, Commander of the Royal Saudi Air Force, and General Fayiadh bin Hameed Al-Rowaily, Chief of the General Staff of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, during his official visit to KSA.
According to ISPR press release on January 8, 2026, the Air Chief was accorded a Guard of Honour by a contingent of the Royal Saudi Air Force upon arrival.
During the meetings, matters pertaining to bilateral defence cooperation, regional security environment and future avenues of collaboration were discussed. Both sides expressed satisfaction over the existing level of cooperation and agreed to further enhance engagement through joint training, operational collaboration and exchange of professional expertise, while highlighting the Pakistan–KSA Defence Agreement as a symbol of mutual trust and enduring brotherly relations.
The Air Chief highlighted the historic and fraternal ties between the two countries and reiterated his commitment to strengthening military-to-military cooperation through bilateral and multilateral exercises. He also underscored the transformation of Pakistan Air Force into a robust Multi Domain Force, integrating space, cyber, electronic warfare and artificial intelligence capabilities, demonstrated through its operational performance.
The Saudi defence leadership praised the professionalism, operational excellence and combat readiness of Pakistan Air Force, and expressed strong interest in enhanced joint training and operational collaboration, particularly in the domain of Multi Domain Operations. They also appreciated Pakistan’s constructive role in promoting regional peace and stability.
The visit underscores the depth of the enduring strategic partnership between Pakistan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and reflects the shared commitment of both nations to further strengthen cooperation in the defence and aviation sectors.
Earlier, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar Sidhu said Pakistan Air Force superior performance has been proven in operation Bunyan Marsoos and the enemy’s Rafale aircraft proved to be zero.
Addressing the Passing Out Parade at PAF Academy Risalpur, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar Sidhu, said the success in the ‘Maarka-e-Haq’ (Battle for Truth) is a testament to the Pakistan Air Force’s (PAF) superior performance.
He stated that when Pakistan’s sovereignty was challenged on the night of May 6th and 7th, the PAF responded vigorously, shooting down their most advanced fighter jets, including the Rafale.
“On May 10th, we successfully targeted the enemy’s defense system. In Operation Bunyan Marsoos, Pakistan proved its superiority in Cyber Warfare”, he said.
He affirmed that the PAF will never allow any harm to come to the integrity of Pakistan, and that the capability of Rafale aircraft proved to be zero against the Pakistan Air Force.
