Exercise Shaheen
| Exercise Shaheen شاہین فضائی مشق | |
|---|---|
| Status | In-Active |
| Genre | Military exercise |
| Frequency | Annual |
| Venue | Airbases of China and Pakistan |
| Country |  Pakistan China |
| Years active | 14 |
| Inaugurated | March 11, 2011 |
| Founder |  Ministry of Defence Ministry of National Defense |
| Most recent | 5 June 2021 |
| Participants |  Pakistan Air Force People's Liberation Army Air Force |
| Website | paf eng |
Exercise Shaheen was a series of military exercises held by China and Pakistan between 2011 and 2021. It involved joint aerial exercises performed by the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) and the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF). Hosted by each of the two countries at alternative years, the exercises were aimed to enhance aerial combat practices, interoperability, and regional security through mutual training and combat simulation practices.[1][2][3]
Overview
[edit]Shaheen-I was the inaugural exercise of this series and the first time Chinese military aircraft along with maintenance staff were deployed in Pakistan for operational purposes. It was conducted in March 2011 at an "Operational airbase" within Pakistan. Though official information was scarce, OSINT reports identified PLAAF Shenyang J-11s and PAF Dassault Mirages participated in the exercises held at PAF Base Rafiqui in Shorkot.[4][5][6][7]
Shaheen-II was the first to be held in China at an undisclosed airbase within Hotan Prefecture. It took place from 03 to 22 September 2013. Mirage-VEF ROSE-IIs from the No. 25 Squadron PAF and Chengdu F-7s from the No. 14 Squadron PAF took part in the exercises along with their respective ground staff. However information regarding the Chinese side was not available.[8][9]
Controversies
[edit]The Exercises has been subject to a series of controversies as it was inaugurated when US-Pakistan relations were at an all-time low particularly after the Raymond Allen Davis incident and 2011 US Drone Strikes which killed 40 tribesmen.[5][10]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Ali, Samran (5 January 2021). "Importance of Shaheen Exercises for Pakistan Air Force and Indian Concerns". Centre for Strategic and Contemporary Research.
- ^ Wei, Li (8 November 2019). "Expert: China-Pak "Shaheen (Eagle)" joint air exercises conducive to double win". China Military.
- ^ Panda, Ankit. "Pakistan, China Conclude Shaheen-III Air Exercise". The Diplomat.
- ^ "JOINT EXERCISE 'SHAHEEN-1' BETWEEN PAKISTAN AND CHINESE AIR FORCES LAUNCHED" (PDF) (Press release). Islamabad: DGPR Pakistan Air Force. 18 March 2011.
- ^ a b Zambelis, Chris (20 May 2011). ""Shaheen 1" Exercise Signals Expansion of China-Pakistan Alliance". The Jamestown Foundation.
- ^ "Pakistan China Joint Air Force Exercise – Shaheen 1". Politact. 19 March 2011.
- ^ "PAF & PLAAF Participated in 'Shaheen-1' Joint Air Exercise". Pakistan Military Review Website.
- ^ "PAF CONTINGENT LEAVES FOR CHINA TO PARTICIPATE IN JOINT AIR EXERCISE 'SHAHEEN-II'" (PDF) (Press release). DGPR Pakistan Air Force. 3 September 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 April 2015.
- ^ "PAF and PLAAF in air exercise 'Shaheen II'". ProQuest.
- ^ "US drone strike 'kills 40' in Pakistani tribal region". BBC. 17 March 2011.
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