PAF offers training, modernisation support to Azerbaijan's Air Force

ISLAMABAD (Web Desk) – Pakistan and Azerbaijan have renewed their commitment to closer defence collaboration, with emphasis on training, modernisation and technical expertise.

The pledge came during a meeting in Islamabad between Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu and Azerbaijan’s Deputy Minister and Director General of Defence, Agil Gurbanov.

The Air Chief welcomed the Azerbaijani delegation and highlighted the historic cultural and religious bonds underpinning relations between the two nations.

He outlined Pakistan Air Force’s ongoing modernisation projects, its operational construct and future force goals, stressing PAF’s readiness to extend capacity-building support to Azerbaijan through human resource development, maintenance upgrades and operational training programmes.

Focus on joint training

Both sides underscored the significance of joint training initiatives. The visiting dignitary noted that bilateral exercises would strengthen shared learning, enhance interoperability and elevate professional standards. He praised the PAF’s operational expertise, identifying it as a model for Azerbaijan to adopt in advancing its own defence capabilities.

Multi domain operations

Gurbanov expressed Azerbaijan’s strong interest in learning from PAF’s methodology of multi domain warfare. He stated that his country intends to overhaul its training system from the academy level upwards, viewing Pakistan as a reliable partner to guide this transformation.

Expanding strategic partnership

The meeting reaffirmed Azerbaijan’s intention to work closely with Pakistan in expanding defence cooperation. Both nations underlined their shared aspiration for regional peace, security and stability, with defence collaboration positioned as a central pillar of their strategic partnership.