ISLAMABAD: Lieutenant General Yilma Merdassa, Commander of the Ethiopian Air Force, paid a courtesy visit to Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, Chief of the Air Staff of the Pakistan Air Force, at Air Headquarters in Islamabad.
During their engagement, the two senior military leaders engaged in in-depth discussions on areas of mutual interest, reaffirming their commitment to enhancing cooperation between their respective air forces. A contingent from the Pakistan Air Force warmly received Lieutenant General Yilma Merdassa with a Guard of Honour upon his arrival.
In the course of the meeting, the Chief of Air Staff emphasized the importance of expanding military cooperation through joint training programs and shared expertise. He assured the Ethiopian delegation of PAF’s ongoing support in professional development, capacity building, and operational excellence, underscoring Pakistan’s enduring friendship and commitment to Ethiopia’s defense modernization.
Lieutenant General Yilma Merdassa expressed his appreciation for the warm hospitality extended to him and his team. He praised the Pakistan Air Force’s operational readiness, technological advancements, and its multi-domain operational capabilities. The Ethiopian Air Force leader expressed a desire to learn from Pakistan’s combat experience, integrated command systems, and technological innovations to bolster its own military strength. He also showed interest in exploring avenues for technology transfer, particularly in indigenous aircraft development and modernization efforts.
As part of his visit, the Ethiopian Air Chief received detailed briefings at the National ISR & Integrated Air Operations Centre, as well as at the PAF Cyber Command, where he commended the cutting-edge capabilities and technological integration in Pakistan’s modern warfare framework.This visit underscores the strong intent of both nations to deepen their military ties, foster collaboration, and build a resilient partnership in defense cooperation and strategic development
