Overview
- A Pakistan Air Force contingent with JF-17 Thunder Block-III fighters and experienced air and ground crews has arrived in Azerbaijan for the Indus Shield Alpha exercise.
- The jets completed a nonstop flight from Pakistan supported by in-flight refuelling from a PAF IL-78 tanker, according to official statements.
- ISPR said the mission reaffirmed the fighters’ long-range capability and the aircrews’ readiness for extended international deployments.
- The exercise will center on modern aerial warfare tactics, joint mission planning and operational execution to strengthen interoperability.
- Officials describe the drills as a platform to exchange operational insights and craft joint responses to emerging air-defense challenges, reflecting a commitment to regional stability and broader military cooperation.