In a major step toward reviving and deepening military ties between Pakistan and the United States, Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Chief Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu paid an official visit to the United States—marking the first such visit by a serving PAF chief in over a decade. The high-level tour follows a recent visit by Pakistan Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir and reflects a renewed momentum in US–Pakistan defence engagements.
During his multi-leg visit, Air Chief Marshal Sidhu held key meetings with senior US military and political leaders. At the Pentagon, he met US Secretary of the Air Force for International Affairs Kelly L. Seybolt and Air Force Chief of Staff General David W. Elon. The two sides agreed to explore new avenues for bilateral cooperation, including joint training, operational exchanges, and technology sharing.
The PAF stated that the visit represents a “strategic milestone” in the Pak-US defence relationship and will play a pivotal role in addressing regional and global security challenges while building long-term institutional ties. Sidhu highlighted the historic and multifaceted nature of US–Pakistan defence relations and reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to expanding cooperation between the two air forces.
The air chief also held meetings at the US State Department with senior officials, including Brown L. Stanley from the Bureau of Political and Military Affairs and Eric Meyer from the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs. Discussions focused on regional stability, Pakistan’s counter-terrorism efforts, and the evolving geopolitical landscape in South and Central Asia.
On Capitol Hill, Sidhu met influential members of the US Congress including Mike Turner, Rich McCormick, and Bill Heizenga. These engagements reinforced the importance of bilateral strategic dialogue and allowed Pakistan to articulate its views on regional security frameworks, emerging technologies in defence, and future military cooperation.
The visit is seen as part of Pakistan’s broader effort to recalibrate its international military partnerships and strengthen its role as a stabilizing actor in the region. The PAF emphasized that the tour not only reaffirmed its commitment to global peace but also laid the groundwork for enhanced joint operations and institutional collaboration with the United States Air Force.
