Addressing the passing out parade at the Pakistan Military Academy Kakul, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu said that the Pakistan Air Force, in close synergy with sister services, upheld its legacy of engaging outnumbered adversaries with resilience and professionalism.
He highlighted that the Pakistan Air Force, operating within a highly integrated modern warfare framework, successfully demonstrated advanced operational capabilities during a recent high-intensity engagement. He noted that the force not only engaged and neutralised some of the most modern and capable enemy aircraft in a prolonged beyond-visual-range (BVR) aerial battle, but also executed precision strikes on critical ground assets deep inside adversary territory, spanning from north to south.
The Air Chief further stated that Pakistan Air Force effectively neutralised state-of-the-art defence systems as well as command and control centres at multiple locations. He emphasised that the adversary was taken by surprise by Pakistan’s indigenous and homegrown “kill chain,” which integrates unmanned aerial systems, electronic warfare assets, space-based support, and cyber capabilities, all coordinated through a highly sophisticated command and control network.
He described the operation as a well-orchestrated multi-domain engagement conducted for the first time in Pakistan Air Force history, reflecting a new era of modern warfare readiness.
Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu added that while the Pakistan Air Force possessed the capability to escalate further, it exercised restraint in accordance with Pakistan’s mature strategic culture.
He remarked that this advanced operational ecosystem was not developed overnight, but was the result of years of comprehensive restructuring, modernization, and indigenisation efforts within the Pakistan Air Force. He noted that this long-term strategy, focused on niche technologies, has significantly strengthened national defence capabilities on a sustainable basis.
Concluding his remarks, he expressed confidence that Pakistan’s indigenous, battle-tested capabilities ensure that the country’s sovereignty will remain fully protected against any aggressor, InshaAllah.
