ISLAMABAD:
Turkish Defence Minister Yaşar Güler has praised the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) for its outstanding operational performance during its recent conflict with India, calling it a testament to the force’s preparedness and commitment to defending national sovereignty.
The remarks came during a high-level visit to Air Headquarters in Islamabad on Wednesday, where Güler, accompanied by a senior Turkish military delegation, held detailed talks with Pakistan’s Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu.
According to a statement released by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the two sides discussed the evolving regional security landscape, progress on existing defence cooperation, and opportunities for collaboration in emerging domains such as aerospace, disruptive technologies, and unmanned aerial systems.
Güler commended Air Chief Marshal Sidhu for leading the PAF with “professionalism and strategic foresight,” and hailed the force’s actions during the four-day standoff with India as “disciplined, measured, and exemplary under pressure.”
The Turkish defence chief conveyed Ankara’s keen interest in expanding defence cooperation with Pakistan, particularly through deeper industry-to-industry partnerships and joint ventures focused on cutting-edge technologies, including avionics and next-generation warfare systems.
Air Chief Marshal Sidhu, in turn, reaffirmed the PAF’s commitment to strengthening the historic and strategic defence partnership with Turkiye. He emphasised the need to build on shared values, mutual trust, and a long-standing military relationship grounded in brotherhood.
During the meeting, both sides agreed to establish dedicated joint working groups aimed at accelerating bilateral initiatives in defence production, pilot training, and joint exercises. They also committed to enhancing the existing pilot exchange programme, which has been instrumental in fostering operational synergy and professional development across both air forces.
“This visit reflects our shared commitment to institutionalising strategic cooperation between the armed forces of Pakistan and Turkiye,” the ISPR statement noted, adding that the meeting signified a broader desire to transform fraternal ties into actionable frameworks for defence collaboration.
The visit comes a day after Lt General Wang Gang, Chief of Staff of China’s People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF), also visited the Air Headquarters. In a separate meeting with Air Chief Marshal Sidhu, he applauded the PAF’s precision and discipline in responding to Indian aggression, calling it a “textbook example” of professionalism under duress.
With multiple high-level military interactions taking place in Islamabad this week, Pakistan’s defence diplomacy appears to be gaining momentum — reinforcing the country’s longstanding partnerships while paving the way for strategic, technology-driven collaboration.
