ITALIAN DELEGATION CALLS ON AIR CHIEF 

PAF PRESS RELEASE
ITALIAN DELEGATION CALLS ON AIR CHIEF
19 March, 2024: A high level Italian delegation led by the Ambassador of Italy H.E Marlina Armellin called on Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force at Air Headquarters Islamabad today. Mr. Stefano Pontecorvo, the Chairman of Leonardo S.p.A. Italy also met the Air Chief. During the meeting, the dignitaries exchanged insights on strengthening bilateral defence cooperation between Pakistan and Italy. They also agreed to explore avenues for further expanding industrial collaboration in the defence sector, particularly in the National Aerospace Science and Technology Park.
Chief of the Air Staff highlighted the significance of the robust diplomatic & defence ties between both the nations and reiterated his resolve to further deepen the enduring friendship that binds Pakistan and Italy together. He emphasized upon bolstering the existing partnership at NASTP across all domains, with a specific focus on the development of Manned and Unmanned Aerial Systems. The Air Chief also hailed the extraordinary contributions of the global industrial group Leonardo S.p.A. in advancing technological capabilities in the fields of Aerospace, Defence and Security. He reiterated his resolve to further expand the existing collaboration in areas related to emerging advancements and niche technologies in order to accrue maximum economic, technological and scientific dividends for Pakistan.
The Italian Ambassador expressed her admiration for the professionalism of PAF personnel and praised the remarkable progress made by Pakistan Air Force through indigenization. She also pledged to play her role in consolidating the existing industrial collaboration between Italy and Pakistan. Chairman of Leonardo S.p.A. Italy, highlighted the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on B1B2 certification between both the countries and acknowledged that the MoU would significantly contribute to propelling the existing defence partnership to new heights.
The meeting between Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force and the Italian delegation signifies a resolute commitment from both nations to reinforce their partnership through nurturing collaboration in the military & industrial domains and promoting robust relations between their respective Air Forces.
PAF SPOKESPERSON