Chief of Air Staff's Desk
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ghazi52
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PAF punched India above its weight: ACM Sidhu
PAF shot down multiple advanced Indian jets, including Rafales, Su-30MKIs, Mirage 2000s, MiG-29s
Khalid Mahmood
December 03, 2025
Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu. Photo: YouTube
ISLAMABAD: Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu said on Tuesday that the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) stunned the world with its decisive and coordinated response during the May 2025 conflict with India.
Addressing the passing-out parade at the PAF Academy in Risalpur, the air chief described PAF operations during Marka-e-Haq and Bunyanum Marsoos as a first-of-its-kind full-spectrum, multi-domain engagement.
He said Marka-e-Haq demonstrated Pakistan's emergence as a regional stabiliser. "We live in challenging times, and our adversaries have always sought to undermine our sovereignty. Yet our armed forces defeated the enemy despite its far greater numerical strength," he stated.
"The world had never before seen such a coordinated and daring use of air power. This engagement has set a new benchmark for modern aerial warfare, and in 2025, the PAF once again demonstrated its overwhelming superiority," he added.
The air chief revealed that, for the first time in history, the PAF employed a comprehensive operational approach, integrating space, cyber, and electronic warfare with long-range vectors, unmanned aerial systems, killer drones, and loitering munitions.
On May 6-7, the PAF shot down multiple advanced Indian jets, including Rafales, Su-30MKIs, Mirage 2000s, MiG-29s, and unmanned aerial vehicles, establishing what ACM Sidhu described as one of the most intense beyond-visual-range (BVR) engagements of modern times.
ghazi52
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He noted that on May 10, in response to an Indian pre-emption, Pakistan executed deep strikes against enemy bases and ground assets across northern and southern sectors, neutralising S-400 air defence systems and key command-and-control centres.
Highlighting the broader strategic context, ACM Sidhu said the success was the product of unified national efforts, Allah's blessings, aggressive decision-making, and the leadership of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir.
"The nation and its armed forces provided a remarkable example of unity, decisiveness, and professionalism, defeating an enemy that enjoyed numerical superiority," he said. "Our operations were calibrated and balanced, with a single aim: to ensure peace with honour."
"Pakistan is a peaceful country and seeks friendly relations with all nations," he said. However, he warned that if Pakistan's sovereignty is challenged again, the enemy will find the PAF far stronger and better prepared than before.
"As a responsible nuclear power, Pakistan's global and regional relations have grown stronger than ever, while the public's unwavering trust in the armed forces is the result of decades of sincere service and sacrifice," he added.
The air chief emphasised that the PAF's performance in 2025 reflected years of modernisation, restructuring, and operational innovation. He highlighted Pakistan's air power, commitment to national defence, and professional expertise in full measure.
on the occasion, ACM Sidhu mentioned that the presence of Saudi cadets at the PAF Academy reflects the strong friendship and strategic cooperation between the armed forces of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
While, congratulating the graduating cadets, he said they have been entrusted with the sacred duty of defending the motherland's air borders, and the hopes of the entire nation rest on their shoulders.
The ceremony featured cadets from various courses, including GD(P), Engineering, Air Defence, Navigation, Admin, Special Duties, and Logistics, alongside cadets from the Royal Saudi Air Force. The event included a flypast by PAF fighter jets and the Sherdil Aerobatics Team, showcasing the skill and professionalism of the air force.
Highlighting the broader strategic context, ACM Sidhu said the success was the product of unified national efforts, Allah's blessings, aggressive decision-making, and the leadership of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir.
"The nation and its armed forces provided a remarkable example of unity, decisiveness, and professionalism, defeating an enemy that enjoyed numerical superiority," he said. "Our operations were calibrated and balanced, with a single aim: to ensure peace with honour."
"Pakistan is a peaceful country and seeks friendly relations with all nations," he said. However, he warned that if Pakistan's sovereignty is challenged again, the enemy will find the PAF far stronger and better prepared than before.
"As a responsible nuclear power, Pakistan's global and regional relations have grown stronger than ever, while the public's unwavering trust in the armed forces is the result of decades of sincere service and sacrifice," he added.
The air chief emphasised that the PAF's performance in 2025 reflected years of modernisation, restructuring, and operational innovation. He highlighted Pakistan's air power, commitment to national defence, and professional expertise in full measure.
on the occasion, ACM Sidhu mentioned that the presence of Saudi cadets at the PAF Academy reflects the strong friendship and strategic cooperation between the armed forces of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
While, congratulating the graduating cadets, he said they have been entrusted with the sacred duty of defending the motherland's air borders, and the hopes of the entire nation rest on their shoulders.
The ceremony featured cadets from various courses, including GD(P), Engineering, Air Defence, Navigation, Admin, Special Duties, and Logistics, alongside cadets from the Royal Saudi Air Force. The event included a flypast by PAF fighter jets and the Sherdil Aerobatics Team, showcasing the skill and professionalism of the air force.
ghazi52
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PM Shehbaz also approved a two-year extension in the tenure of Air Chief Marshal (ACM) Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu, which will take effect upon the completion of his current five-year tenure in March 2026, the PMO added.
ACM Sidhu was appointed as the chief of the air staff in March 2021 and had been granted a one-year extension in 2024.
ACM Sidhu was appointed as the chief of the air staff in March 2021 and had been granted a one-year extension in 2024.
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Zarvan
Elite Member
22 May, 2026: Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force, during an official visit to the Republic of Turkiye, held high-level meetings with the country’s senior Defence, Air Force, and Aerospace leadership. During the visit, the Chief of the Air Staff called on General Ziya Cemal Kadıoglu, Commander Turkish Air Force, H.E. Yasar Guler, Minister of National Defence, and Mr. Selcuk Bayraktar, Chief Technology Officer, Baykar Technologies, reaffirming the growing strategic convergence and shared commitment of both nations towards enhanced collaboration in defence, aerospace innovation, and emerging technologies.
In the first of a series of high-level engagements, the Air Chief called on General Ziya Cemal Kadıoglu, Commander of the Turkish Air Force, at the Turkish Air Force Headquarters, where he was accorded a historic welcome. A smartly turned-out contingent of the Turkish Air Force presented a Guard of Honour to Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, reflecting deep respect, warmth, and enduring bonds shared between the two nations. Both Air Chiefs deliberated on matters of mutual interest and avenues to further consolidate the longstanding fraternal ties between the two Air Forces. Emphasizing the importance of greater interoperability and combat synergy, both Commanders reiterated their resolve to pursue bilateral military exercises, professional exchange programmes, and advanced training initiatives designed to strengthen operational cohesion between PAF and the Turkish Air Force.
The Turkish Air Chief expressed his great appreciation for PAF’s continued support in the training of Turkish pilots, which he termed a vital initiative for fostering professional growth and operational understanding between the two Air Forces. Expressing satisfaction over the existing bilateral cooperation, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to deepening institutional collaboration through sustained engagements in emerging domains aimed at reinforcing operational preparedness in the face of evolving security challenges. Subsequently, the Chief of the Air Staff called on H.E. Yasar Guler, Minister of National Defence of Turkiye. The meeting featured substantive discussions on bilateral defence collaboration, Air Force-to-Air Force cooperation, and collaborative endeavours across diverse domains. The Air Chief highlighted the deep-rooted historical, cultural, and brotherly ties between Pakistan and Turkiye, underpinned by the bonds of Islamic brotherhood, mutual trust, and shared strategic interests. The Turkish Minister of National Defence appreciated the professionalism and modernization drive of Pakistan Air Force under its current leadership and expressed keen interest in deepening bilateral engagement in the areas of training, capacity building, and aerospace cooperation.
In yet another significant engagement, the Chief of the Air Staff met with Mr. Selcuk Bayraktar, Chief Technology Officer of Baykar Technologies. The interaction focused on advancements in aerospace innovation, unmanned aerial systems, and emerging technologies, reflecting the shared vision of both sides to pursue greater collaboration in next-generation defence technologies. The landmark visit of the Chief of the Air Staff to Turkiye underscores the depth & vitality of the enduring partnership between the two countries. It serves as a clear testament to the unwavering commitment of both nations to further consolidate their strategic ties through enhanced cooperation in the defence, aerospace, and cutting-edge technological domains.
