South African Air Force chief visits Pakistan, discusses strengthening ties with PAF
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South African Air Force (SAAF) Chief Lt General Wiseman Simo Mbambo paid an official visit to Pakistan, where he met with Chief of the Air Staff of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu at Air Headquarters in Islamabad, according to the military's media wing.
Upon his arrival, the visiting dignitary was welcomed with a formal Guard of Honour by a smartly turned-out contingent of the Pakistan Air Force, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.
During the meeting, the PAF chief highlighted the strong bilateral relationship between Pakistan and South Africa, emphasising the shared values and aspirations that underpin the two nations' deep-rooted friendship. He reiterated PAF's commitment to strengthening the aerial combat capabilities of the South African Air Force through tailored training and capacity-building initiatives, according to the ISPR.
Lt General Mbambo lauded the operational readiness of the PAF, commending its multi-domain warfare capabilities and its success in maintaining a credible deterrence posture. He acknowledged the high standards maintained by the PAF and expressed his admiration for its technical excellence, it added.
A key focus of the discussions was the revamping of the SAAF's training regime. Lt General Mbambo expressed his desire for PAF's support in developing a modern and comprehensive training framework, beginning at the academy level.
He further requested the participation of SAAF officers as observers in PAF's major operational exercises to enhance learning and foster collaboration, as per the ISPR report.
In addition, the SAAF chief spoke about the possibility of increasing technical collaboration between the two air forces, particularly in the area of aircraft maintenance.
Recognising the cost-effective maintenance capabilities and technical excellence of PAF's engineering infrastructure, Lt General Mbambo conveyed the intent of the SAAF to undertake the inspection and maintenance of its C-130 fleet in Pakistan.
The discussions highlighted a mutual desire to institutionalise and further strengthen the formal relationship between the PAF and the SAAF.
This meeting is expected to pave the way for deeper cooperation between the two forces, ensuring enhanced operational capabilities and shared military expertise.
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