A contingent of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), equipped with advanced JF-17 Thunder Block-III fighter jets and supported by skilled air and ground crews, has arrived in Azerbaijan to participate in the joint aerial combat exercise “Indus Shield Alpha,” the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) announced on Sunday. In a remarkable demonstration of operational endurance and precision, PAF fighter jets completed a non-stop flight from Pakistan to Azerbaijan, successfully performing in-flight air-to-air refuelling en route, the ISPR statement said. The complex refuelling manoeuvre, carried out flawlessly by PAF’s IL-78 aerial tanker, reaffirmed the long-range operational capability of the JF-17 Block-III aircraft and highlighted the professional excellence and readiness of PAF aircrew for extended international missions. According to the ISPR, Exercise Indus Shield Alpha aims to enhance mutual understanding, tactical coordination, and interoperability between the two brotherly air forces. The joint drills will emphasize modern aerial warfare tactics, joint mission planning, and execution in an evolving technological landscape. The exercise will also provide a valuable platform for both nations to exchange operational expertise and develop coordinated responses to emerging challenges in air defence and regional security. “The participation of Pakistan Air Force contingent in Exercise Indus Shield Alpha reaffirms PAF’s enduring commitment to regional stability and global military cooperation,” the military’s media wing added. “It also demonstrates PAF’s unwavering resolve to continuously evolve and adapt to the demands of contemporary warfare, while maintaining its tradition of excellence in every domain of air operations.”
PAF to Display Advanced JF-17 Thunder Block-III Jets at Azerbaijan Combat Drills
