KARACHI: Pakistan-China joint air exercise Shaheen-IX commenced at an operational airbase of Pakistan Air Force on Wednesday.

Shaheen-IX is the ninth in the series of joint air exercises which is conducted each year in both countries on alternate turns.

A contingent of People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) comprising combat pilots, air defence controllers and technical ground crew is participating in the exercise.

The opening ceremony of the exercise was jointly witnessed by Air Vice Marshal Waqas Ahmed Sulehri, Deputy Chief of Air Staff (Operations), PAF, and Major General Sun Hong, Assistant Chief of Staff, PLAAF.

Maj Gen Sun Hong said: “The joint exercise will improve the actual level of combat training and strengthen practical cooperation between the two air forces.”

Welcoming the Chinese contingent, Air Vice Marshal Sulehri said: “The joint exercise will provide an opportunity to further enhance interoperability of both the air forces, thereby fortifying brotherly relations between the two countries.”

Published in Dawn, December 10th, 2020