Karachi — Pak-China Joint International Air Exercise ‘Shaheen-VII’ concluded at an Operational Air Base of Pakistan Air Force. To mark the conclusion of the exercise, an august culmination ceremony was held on December 21, 2018.
Air Marshal Muhammad Haseeb Paracha, Deputy Chief of the Air Staff (Operations) was the chief guest at the occasion. Major General Chen Wenrong, Defence Attaché from Embassy of the Peoples Republic of China was also present at the occasion.
The high ranking officials of both the countries were given a comprehensive de-brief on the exercise. Air Marshal Muhammad Haseeb Paracha highlighted the significance of this joint venture and appreciated the personnel of both Air Forces for the smooth conduct of the exercise.
Major General Chen Wenrong, in his address, thanked the PAF high Command for offering traditional hospitality and providing the opportunity to learn from each other experiences.
Earlier, distinguished visitors day was also celebrated to mark the culmination of the joint exercise. PAF war veterans, PLAAF officials, diplomats from the Chinese Embassy, retired and senior serving officers also attended the ceremony. The distinguished guests visited the exercise monitoring Cell, to witness the conduct of the exercise. Later on, the guests witnessed the launched missions of PAF and PLAAF’s participating fighter Jets and support elements.
The main objective of the exercise was to maximize the combat readiness of the air forces by providing a realistic training environment in different air combat scenarios. PAF has been participating in foreign exercises with leading and friendly Air Forces of the world. These exercises have helped in giving invaluable experience to the PAF combat crew and enhancing their professional competence.
At the beginning of Joint Pak-China Air Force Exercise, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa witnessed the Pak-China International Air Exercise Shaheen-VII at an operational air base of Pakistan Air Force (PAF) in Karachi.
While interacting with combat crew, the army chief lauded the professionalism of participants of exercise and appreciated the efforts of PAF and People’s Liberation Army Air Force in conducting international air exercise in a befitting manner. On his arrival, the COAS was received by Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan, chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force.
While highlighting the exemplary relations between Islamabad and Beijing, Gen Qamar said that the exercise would further strengthen and promote the friendship, and cooperation between the two great nations as well as armed forces of both countries.
The exercise is seventh in the series of Shaheen exercises and is conducted each year on an alternate basis.
On December 8, a special forces contingent of People’s Liberation Army China had arrived in Pakistan to take part in Pak-China joint military exercise. Troops of Special Service Group from both armies also participating in the three-week long exercise.