Pakistan and Saudi Arabia take to skies to enhance regional defense capabilities

The Middle East is passing through a challenging security phase which demands enhanced defense capabilities and preparedness by all peace loving regional countries. Constant vigilance is essential to defend freedom and territorial integrity. Keeping this in view, Pakistan has hosted its annual air exercises with a focus on the regional security environment. Apart from the host air force, fighter jets from Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkiye have taken part. What made these exercises more fruitful was the fact that the operations were conducted from two different air bases and with diverse aircraft. The personnel and equipment were tested in a war-like simulated situation.

All four participating nations have fairly large areas, the largest being the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In such a scenario, defending the entire area becomes a challenge for ground forces. The center of defense gravity, therefore, moves toward the air forces which moves with greater alacrity. Fighter aircraft and related equipment is usually costly but the expense is worth its while.

Inter-operability is always a coveted goal of such international exercises as fighter pilots from diverse backgrounds take part with equipment originating from different sources. Pakistan participated with J 10 C, Saudi Arabia with Panavia Tornado, Turkiye with F-16 and Egypt with Mirage 2000 fighter jets. All four forces demonstrated their capabilities for air combat and for hitting ground targets. Use of the latest cyber, digital and artificial intelligence technologies was also part of this exercise. Counter terrorism training and tactics were also shared and demonstrated. 

Pull-quote: As imported fighting and surveillance aircraft, drones and missiles become more expensive, these four countries should join hands to locally produce advanced aircraft and air defense systems. 

- Javed Hafeez

Pakistan Army and Naval chiefs witnessed the exercise with a clear message that inter-services co-ordination was essential to any successful conduct of war and the maintenance of peace. In the regional scenario, keeping the sea lanes safe and secure is of utmost importance not only for the energy exporting nations but also for the international economy. Pakistan Navy has been part of Bahrain based international Combined Task Force (CTF150) for two decades now and has commanded it several times. This force is a strong deterrent to acts of piracy, terrorism and drug smuggling in the Arabian Sea. The Red Sea is a crucial commercial lane between Egypt and Saudi Arabia. The Turkish Navy has a strategic role cut out for it in the Mediterranean. 

Terrorism is a threat which has been faced by all four participating countries. And it still rears its ugly head off and on. The scourge of extremism has to be fought by both kinetic and non- kinetic means. The kinetic part is best performed by special forces. Through another exercise, special forces of the Kingdom and Pakistan have been training to gather annually to tackle this threat head on. Although the use of air power should be the last resort, it cannot be ruled out in certain situations. Precize use of drones and short range missiles are a new facet of air warfare. Pakistan has used these effectively to curb cross-border militancy.

Modern warfare uses psychological tactics, intelligence penetration and propaganda to demoralize the opposite side. Economic subversion is often used. Technological edge can give any side a head start. While all four participating countries are fairly advanced in the use of the latest technologies, Turkiye has the advantage of being a NATO member. As imported fighting and surveillance aircraft, drones and missile systems become more expensive, these four countries should join hands to locally produce advanced aircraft and air defense systems. If you want peace, be prepared for war, is an old dictum. 

Viewed in the backdrop of today’s precarious regional security situation, this exercise has assumed additional strategic importance. The message is that all regional countries should follow international rules in order to co-exist in peace.

Pakistan has vital economic interests in the Middle East in addition to age-old spiritual links. The bulk of the Pakistani diaspora works in GCC countries. Turkiye and Egypt have similar interests in the region and the four countries have mutually shared challenges which demand a well coordinated common response. As Israel constantly ignores international calls for ceasefire, these four important, likeminded countries have, through this exercise, demonstrated that they are not oblivious to the precarious regional security situation.

Pakistan, which has to remain alert on its eastern and western borders, has again proven that it remains committed to peace and security within its borders and for the region.

- Javed Hafeez is a former Pakistani diplomat with much experience of the Middle East. He writes weekly columns in Pakistani and Gulf newspapers and appears regularly on satellite TV channels as a defense and political analyst.
Twitter: @JavedHafiz8