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2w ago

Pakistan Air Chief Advances U.S. Defense Cooperation During Washington Visit

Sidhu’s meetings opened the door to expanded defense cooperation as Pakistan eyes U.S. F-16 Block 70 jets after Chinese system failures.

Portraits of Shehbaz Sharif, Navy Chief Admiral Naveed Ashraf (3L), Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir (C), Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Baber (3R) and Chief Minister of the country's Punjab province Maryam Nawaz Sharif in Lahore
Flags of the US and Pakistan for representational purpose | Reuters
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Overview

  • The visit marks the first time in over a decade that a serving Pakistan Air Force chief has traveled to Washington.
  • Sidhu met US Secretary of the Air Force for International Affairs Kelly L. Seybolt and Air Force Chief of Staff General David W. Elon to outline plans for joint training, operational exercises and technology exchanges.
  • He held meetings at the State Department and on Capitol Hill with legislators including Mike Turner, Rich McCormick and Bill Heizenga to reinforce strategic ties and discuss regional security.
  • Pakistan plans to evaluate advanced US military systems such as F-16 Block 70 fighters and air defense platforms following doubts over Chinese equipment performance.
  • This engagement follows June’s US visit by Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir and reflects a broader strategic realignment in South Asian defense cooperation under President Trump.