RAWALPINDI: A contingent of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has arrived in Saudi Arabia to participate in the multinational aerial combat exercise Spears of Victory 2026, reflecting Pakistan’s continued commitment to regional and international military cooperation, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Monday.
According to the ISPR, the PAF contingent, comprising F-16 Block-52 fighter aircraft along with dedicated air and ground crew, reached King Abdulaziz Air Base in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to take part in the high-profile exercise.
The multinational drill includes fighter jets and combat support elements from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, France, Italy, Greece, Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan, the United Kingdom and the United States. The exercise is aimed at enhancing interoperability, operational synergy and mutual understanding among participating air forces.
The ISPR said the exercise provides a robust platform for capacity building, particularly in the domains of large force employment, night composite air operations, integrated intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), and operations in complex electronic warfare environments.
Through participation in the exercise, the PAF seeks to further strengthen interoperability with partner air forces and validate its operational preparedness in a contested, technology-driven battlespace. The military’s media wing highlighted that PAF fighter aircraft undertook a non-stop flight from their home base in Pakistan to Saudi Arabia, demonstrating the air force’s long-range operational reach and expeditionary capabilities.
During the exercise, PAF pilots flying advanced F-16 Block-52 aircraft equipped with modern avionics and beyond-visual-range capabilities will operate alongside, and be pitted against, air crews from other participating nations flying a diverse range of sophisticated combat aircraft.
The ISPR said the PAF’s participation underscores its professional excellence and proven ability to operate effectively in demanding and diverse operational environments alongside some of the world’s leading contemporary air forces. It added that such exercises contribute to refining combat skills, sharing best practices and strengthening defence diplomacy.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia maintain close defence and security ties. In September last year, the two countries signed a Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement, under which any attack on either nation would be treated as an act of aggression against both.
The longstanding relationship between Islamabad and Riyadh spans military cooperation, economic collaboration and shared cultural and religious bonds. Saudi Arabia has also remained a key source of economic assistance and energy supplies for Pakistan, further underpinning the strategic depth of bilateral relations.
