Islamabad, June 9, 2026 (Khyber Mail) — Commander Bahrain National Guard, General Shaikh Mohammed Bin Isa Bin Salman Al Khalifa, called on Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, at Air Headquarters in Islamabad on Monday, with the two sides reaffirming their commitment to strengthening bilateral defence cooperation amid evolving regional security challenges.
During the meeting, both commanders discussed matters of mutual interest, with particular focus on the expanding role of unmanned systems in modern warfare, emerging technologies and the contemporary air defence environment. The Air Chief briefed the visiting dignitary on the Pakistan Air Force’s ongoing modernisation drive, encompassing capability enhancement, infrastructure development, indigenisation and transformation of training paradigms to meet the demands of contemporary warfare.
A key area of discussion was the rapidly evolving domain of drone warfare, with both sides exchanging insights on the transformative impact of unmanned systems on future battlefields. The two commanders also deliberated on the role of artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, advanced sensors and digital innovation in shaping next-generation defence capabilities.
Air Chief Marshal Sidhu underscored the deep-rooted fraternal ties between Pakistan and Bahrain as a strong foundation for enduring cooperation, stating: “Pakistan deeply values its longstanding diplomatic, economic and defence relationship with the Kingdom of Bahrain. Our partnership is anchored in mutual trust, shared interests and a common commitment towards regional peace, security and stability.”
Commander Bahrain National Guard lauded the professionalism of the PAF and commended its achievements in modernisation, indigenous capability development and operational excellence. He expressed keen interest in expanding Air Force-to-Air Force cooperation, acknowledging PAF’s multi-domain capabilities and conveying Bahrain’s interest in benefiting from PAF’s expertise in training and emerging warfare domains.
The visiting commander also praised the advanced technological infrastructure of the National Aerospace Science and Technology Park, expressing a strong desire to leverage PAF’s expertise in niche technologies to enhance Bahrain’s futuristic aerospace and aviation capabilities.
Both sides further discussed the contemporary air defence environment, emphasising the need for adaptive strategies and integrated defence architectures to counter evolving aerial threats — a discussion that carries added significance given the ongoing regional conflict in the Gulf.
The meeting underscored the shared commitment of Pakistan and Bahrain to deepening defence ties and promoting regional peace and security through enhanced military cooperation.