BAKU / Islamabad, October 19, 2025: A contingent of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), comprising its advanced JF 17 Thunder Block III fighter jets and accompanying air and ground crews, landed in Azerbaijan today to take part in the bilateral aerial combat exercise titled Indus Shield Alpha, the Pakistani military’s media wing confirmed.
The PAF statement highlighted that the fighter jets flew non‐stop from Pakistan to Azerbaijan, supported by a mid‐air refueling by the PAF’s own IL-78 aerial tanker, an operation described as showcasing the aircraft’s long-range reach and professional readiness for extended international deployments.
Designed to boost tactical coordination, mutual understanding, and interoperability between the PAF and the Azerbaijan Air Force, Indus Shield Alpha will focus on modern aerial warfare tactics, joint mission planning, and emerging air-defence challenges. The exercise also provides a platform for exchanging operational insights and enhancing regional defence diplomacy.
The deployment comes amid strengthening military-technical ties between Pakistan and Azerbaijan. Notably, Pakistan signed a contract to sell JF-17 Block III jets to Azerbaijan last year, reflecting a deepening defence partnership.
Pakistan regularly engages in bilateral and multilateral air exercises to expose its air force to diverse operational environments, hone its capability, and reinforce global military cooperation. This mission underlines the PAF’s resolve to adapt to contemporary warfare demands while contributing to regional stability.
As the exercise gets underway in Azerbaijan, attention will remain on how these training interactions translate into longer-term defence collaboration and strategic alignment between Islamabad and Baku.
