Chinese, Pakistan air forces conduct joint drills

During the ongoing joint drills named “Shaheen VI”, air force personnel cooperated in planning and implementing strategies.

The pilots of the Chinese and Pakistani air forces have conducted joint drills sitting in the same aircraft which the state-run media said was a reflection of deep mutual trust between the two militaries.

A Pakistan national flag flies alongside a Chinese national flag in front of the portrait of Chairman Mao Zedong in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square.(Reuters File Photo)

During the ongoing joint drills named “Shaheen VI”, air force personnel cooperated in planning and implementing strategies, as well as learning operational concepts and tactics from each other, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

Li Wengang, head of China-Pakistan joint training command office, said that sitting in the same aircraft to fight was a reflection of the deep mutual trust between the two countries and their militaries.

Chen Lei, a leader of a Chinese pilot team, said that the drill improved trainees’ skills and friendship, adding that individuals from both sides have become “buddies” after more than 10 days’ training, the report said.

The joint training between the two militaries which maintain close relations was launched in March 2011.