DEPUTY CHIEF OF GENERAL STAFF, TURKISH ARMED FORCES, VISITS AIR HEADQUARTERS 

PAF PRESS RELEASE
DEPUTY CHIEF OF GENERAL STAFF, TURKISH ARMED FORCES, VISITS AIR HEADQUARTERS
15 February, 2024: A high level Turkish delegation led by General Irfan Ozsert, Deputy Chief of General Staff, Turkish Armed Forces, called on Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force in his office today. The focus of the meeting centered on mutual training initiatives and endeavours of technology collaboration between the two sides.
During the meeting, Chief of the Air Staff assured the Turkish dignitary of Pakistan Air Force's unwavering commitment to providing comprehensive support for training of Turkish aircrew from baseline to tactical and operational levels through mutual exchange programs. He highlighted that the two brotherly countries have always stood by each other in times of need and Pakistan Air Force will remain committed to train and provide capacity-building assistance to the Turkish Air Force. He also reaffirmed his resolve to further enhance the existing bilateral ties in military-to-military cooperation, strategic alliance and the training domain through technology sharing and joint exercises in the face of shared regional security threats. Highlighting the ongoing Pakistan Air Force and Turkish Air Force mutual training program, Chief of the Air Staff remarked that PAF F-16 pilots are actively engaged in training Turkish aircrew to address the training deficiency gaps and enhance their operational capabilities.
Both the commanders agreed to explore further avenues of bilateral cooperation, including collaboration for joint aerial exercises and training of Turkish Aircrew at PAF's Airpower Center of Excellence. They also agreed to elevate the existing partnership through Joint Working Groups focused on technology enhancement and core capability exchanges. The discussion also revolved around pursuing Air-to-Air Missile Technology exchange program to accrue maximum benefits for both Air Forces. In a bid to further consolidate the existing level of cooperation, both sides agreed to reinforce government-to-government, commercial-to-commercial, military-to-military and Air Force-to-Air Force collaboration. Deputy Chief of General Staff Turkish Armed Forces commended the professionalism of PAF and acknowledged its rising indigenous capacity in aviation industry. He appreciated the vision of Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu regarding National Aerospace Science & Technology Park and acknowledged the advancements made by Pakistan Air Force in the Cyber domain. Expressing keen interest in Pakistan's absorption of cutting-edge technologies and development of core capabilities, the Turkish commander highlighted the importance of close coordination and joint collaboration between the two nations to achieve shared objectives. Subsequently, he visited PAF Cyber Command and National Aerospace Science & Technology Park where he was briefed about the operational capabilities of Pakistan Air Force.
The visit of Turkish delegation to Air Headquarters highlights a significant step towards enhancing the strategic partnership between the two nations fostering mutual growth and collaboration in the fields of training and technology.
PAF SPOKESPERSON