RAWALPINDI: A Pakistan Air Force (PAF) contingent equipped with the advanced JF-17 Thunder Block-III fighter jets has arrived in Azerbaijan to take part in the bilateral aerial combat exercise ‘Indus Shield Alpha’, said Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). The ISPR’s press statement stated that the contingent includes experienced air and ground crew, reflecting PAF’s strong commitment to international military cooperation.
In a remarkable show of endurance and skill, the PAF fighter jets completed a non-stop flight from Pakistan to Azerbaijan, successfully carrying out in-flight air-to-air refuelling with the support of PAF’s IL-78 aerial tanker. The precision and professionalism displayed during this complex refuelling operation underscored the long-range capability of PAF aircraft and the high level of training and readiness of its personnel for extended international missions.
Exercise Indus Shield Alpha is designed to strengthen mutual understanding, tactical coordination, and interoperability between the air forces of Pakistan and Azerbaijan. The drills will emphasize modern aerial warfare strategies, joint mission planning, and execution in a technologically evolving environment. The exercise also provides both air forces an opportunity to exchange operational expertise and develop coordinated responses to emerging air defence challenges.
PAF’s participation in Indus Shield Alpha reaffirms its enduring role in promoting regional stability and global defence cooperation. It also highlights the force’s continued focus on adapting to the complexities of modern warfare while upholding its legacy of operational excellence.
