ISLAMABAD: Commander Bahrain National Guard, General Shaikh Mohammed Bin Isa Bin Salman Al Khalifa, called on Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force (PAF), during his visit to Air Headquarters in Islamabad. The meeting focused on matters of mutual interest, with a particular emphasis on enhancing bilateral defence cooperation and professional collaboration between the armed forces of the two brotherly countries.
Modernization and Drone Warfare Discussed
Air Chief Marshal Sidhu highlighted PAF's ongoing modernization drive, which encompasses capability enhancement, infrastructure development, indigenization, and transformation of training paradigms to meet the demands of contemporary warfare. He underscored the deep-rooted fraternal ties between Pakistan and Bahrain as a strong foundation for enduring cooperation. A key focus of the discussions was the evolving domain of drone warfare, with both sides exchanging insights on the expanding role of unmanned systems in modern military operations and their transformative impact on future battlefields amid ongoing regional security challenges.
Emerging Technologies and Future Capabilities
Both commanders deliberated on emerging technologies, highlighting the transformative impact of artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, advanced sensors, and digital innovation in shaping next-generation defence capabilities. Reaffirming PAF's commitment to further expanding bilateral engagement, the Air Chief stated, "Pakistan deeply values its longstanding diplomatic, economic and defence relationship with the Kingdom of Bahrain. Our partnership is anchored in mutual trust, shared interests and a common commitment towards regional peace, security and stability."
The visiting dignitary lauded the professionalism of PAF and commended its achievements in modernization, indigenous capability development, and operational excellence under the leadership of Air Chief Marshal Sidhu. Expressing keen interest in expanding Air Force-to-Air Force cooperation, he acknowledged PAF's multi-domain capabilities and conveyed Bahrain's interest in benefiting from PAF's expertise in training and emerging warfare domains.
Air Defence and Technological Collaboration
Recognising the increasingly complex nature of modern aerial threats, both sides discussed the contemporary air defence environment, emphasizing the need for adaptive strategies and integrated defence architectures to counter evolving challenges. The Commander also lauded the advanced technological infrastructure of the National Aerospace Science & Technology Park while expressing a strong desire to leverage PAF's expertise in niche technologies to enhance futuristic aerospace and aviation capabilities of the Armed Forces of Bahrain.
The meeting between the Chief of the Air Staff and Commander Bahrain National Guard reflects the shared commitment of Pakistan and Bahrain to strengthening defence ties and promoting regional peace and security through enhanced military cooperation.
