The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has deployed a contingent of JF-17 Thunder Block-III fighter jets, along with air and ground crew, to Azerbaijan for the Indus Shield Alpha Exercise, the military’s media wing said on Sunday.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the Indus Shield Alpha Exercise aims to strengthen tactical coordination, operational understanding, and interoperability between the air forces of Pakistan and Azerbaijan.
“In a remarkable display of operational excellence and endurance, PAF fighters completed a non-stop flight from Pakistan to Azerbaijan, conducting precise in-flight air-to-air refuelling,” ISPR stated.
The complex mid-air refuelling mission was carried out using PAF’s IL-78 aerial tanker, demonstrating the long-range capability of the JF-17 Thunder Block-III jets. The operation highlighted the professional skill, endurance, and preparedness of PAF personnel for extended international deployments.
The exercise will center on advanced aerial warfare tactics, joint mission planning, and execution in response to rapidly evolving airpower technologies and operational challenges.
Officials said the drills will also provide a vital platform for exchanging operational insights and improving joint defense responses to emerging aerial threats.
“The participation of the Pakistan Air Force contingent in Exercise Indus Shield Alpha reaffirms PAF’s commitment to regional stability and global cooperation,” the statement added.
ISPR noted that the exercise underscores the Air Force’s focus on evolving with modern warfare demands while maintaining its longstanding tradition of operational excellence.