The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) is ready as ever for the defence of the country, said Chief of Air Staff Sohail Aman at the culmination ceremony of the first ever multi-national counter-terrorism air exercise held at a PAF Operational Air Base.

The two-week-long exercise named ACES MEET-2017 started on October 16, in which contingents of Turkish Air Force and Royal Saudi Air Force also participated. The contingents comprised fighter aircraft, combat pilots and ground technical crew, moreover, officials from eight other friendly countries participated in the landmark exercise as observers.

Addressing the ceremony, Air Chief Marshal Aman lauded the "supreme sacrifices and professionalism of its valiant veterans" and vowed to take PAF to "greater heights of excellence" by following in the footsteps of the force's "illustrious ancestors".

The air chief also praised the professionalism of the participating air forces.

The main objective of the exercise was to increase the efficiency of the air forces by providing a realistic training environment in air-combat training and counter-terrorism operations.

The participating crews simulated contemporary air combat tactics utilising state-of-the-art training aids.

Besides live parachute drops by the commandos of PAF Special Services Wing in the contested airspace, large force employment concept was also practised during the exercise.

Contingent commanders of both Turkish and Saudi Arabia's air forces thanked the PAF for its hospitality in the culmination ceremony. They also attended a comprehensive briefing about the PAF's Airpower Center of Excellence (ACE) as well as the newly-built infrastructure and training facilities.

Earlier, the air chief participated in the last mission of the exercise flying in F-15 aircraft of Royal Saudi Air Force.

The ceremony was attended by former air chiefs, PAF war veterans, retired and senior serving officers.