Air forces of Pakistan and South Africa to increase professional collaboration
Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff
Committee (CJCSC) Gen Sahir Shamshad Mirza met with Lieutenant General Wiseman
Simo Mbambo, Chief of the South African Air Force (SAAF), at the Joint Staff
Headquarters on Thursday to discuss defence collaboration and regional security
issues, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) reported.
During the high-level meeting, both
leaders reviewed practical steps to broaden and deepen bilateral military
engagements. They also exchanged views on the wider geopolitical environment
affecting their regions.
Gen Mirza shared Pakistan’s
perspective on the evolving security landscape and highlighted Pakistan’s
ongoing efforts to promote regional peace and stability. In turn, Lt Gen Mbambo
commended the professionalism of Pakistan’s armed forces and recognized their
sacrifices in counterterrorism operations.
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South Africa to bolster military aviation ties
Upon arrival, the South African air chief was welcomed with a ceremonial guard of honor by a tri-services contingent.
Earlier, Lt Gen Mbambo visited Air
Headquarters in Islamabad, where he met with Pakistan Air Force Chief of Air
Staff Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu. During their discussion, the
Air Chief emphasized the shared values underpinning the strong friendship
between Pakistan and South Africa, reaffirming the PAF’s commitment to
enhancing SAAF’s aerial combat capabilities through specialized training and
capacity-building programs.
Lt Gen Mbambo praised the PAF’s
operational readiness, multi-domain warfare proficiency, and credible
deterrence posture. He expressed a keen interest in further institutionalizing
defence ties between the two air forces.
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Key topics included modernizing the SAAF’s training system, starting from the academy level, with Lt Gen Mbambo seeking PAF assistance in developing a comprehensive training framework. He also requested participation for SAAF officers as observers in major PAF operational exercises, reflecting a desire to strengthen cooperation and knowledge exchange.
The meetings mark a continued effort
to foster closer military-to-military relations and regional security
collaboration between Pakistan and South Africa.
Source: Pakistan Today