Commander Bahrain National Guard Calls on Air Chief

Islamabad, The Gulf Observer: Commander Bahrain National Guard, General Shaikh Mohammed Bin Isa Bin Salman Al Khalifa, called on Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force (PAF), Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, at Air Headquarters in Islamabad, where both sides discussed ways to further strengthen bilateral defence cooperation and professional collaboration between the armed forces of Pakistan and Bahrain.

During the meeting, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu highlighted the Pakistan Air Force’s ongoing modernization efforts, including capability enhancement, infrastructure development, indigenization initiatives and the transformation of training systems to meet the requirements of modern warfare. He emphasized that the longstanding fraternal relations between Pakistan and Bahrain provide a strong foundation for deeper strategic cooperation.

The discussions focused extensively on the evolving nature of contemporary warfare, particularly the growing role of drone technology and unmanned systems in military operations. Both dignitaries exchanged views on the impact of emerging technologies on future battlefields and regional security dynamics.

The two sides also deliberated on advancements in artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, advanced sensors and digital innovation, underscoring their transformative role in shaping next-generation defence capabilities. Reaffirming Pakistan Air Force’s commitment to expanding bilateral engagement, the Air Chief stated that Pakistan highly values its enduring diplomatic, economic and defence partnership with the Kingdom of Bahrain, founded on mutual trust, shared interests and a common commitment to regional peace, security and stability.

General Shaikh Mohammed Bin Isa Bin Salman Al Khalifa praised the professionalism of the Pakistan Air Force and commended its achievements in modernization, indigenous capability development and operational excellence under the leadership of Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu. He expressed Bahrain’s interest in enhancing air force-to-air force cooperation and benefiting from PAF’s expertise in training and emerging warfare domains.

Recognizing the increasingly complex nature of modern aerial threats, both sides also discussed the contemporary air defence environment, stressing the importance of adaptive strategies and integrated defence architectures to address evolving security challenges.

The visiting commander further lauded the advanced technological infrastructure of the National Aerospace Science and Technology Park (NASTP) and expressed a strong desire to leverage Pakistan Air Force expertise in niche technologies to support the future development of Bahrain’s aerospace and aviation capabilities.

The meeting reflected the shared commitment of Pakistan and Bahrain to strengthening defence ties and promoting regional peace and security through enhanced military cooperation.