ISLAMABAD: F-16 Block-52 fighter aircraft of the Pakistan Air Force are in Saudi Arabia for the multinational air combat exercise Spears of Victory-2026, the military said on Monday.
The exercise is being hosted at King Abdulaziz Air Base. Air forces from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, France, Italy, Greece, Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan, the United Kingdom and the United States are taking part.
The drills are aimed at testing air forces in complex, high-intensity combat scenarios. Large force employment, night composite air operations, integrated intelligence missions and advanced electronic warfare operations are included.
A Pakistan Air Force contingent comprising F-16 Block-52 aircraft, along with air and ground crew, has arrived at the Saudi air base, a PAF spokesperson said.
PAF pilots flying F-16 Block-52 jets equipped with modern avionics and beyond-visual-range capability will operate alongside aircrew from participating countries flying a range of advanced combat aircraft, the statement said.
For the deployment, PAF fighter jets conducted a non-stop flight from Pakistan to Saudi Arabia. The mission was described as a demonstration of the air force’s long-range operational reach and expeditionary capability.
The PAF said participation in the exercise is intended to validate operational readiness in a technology-driven battlespace. Enhanced interoperability and professional exchange with partner air forces were also cited as objectives.
The deployment comes amid expanding defense cooperation between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. Military ties have grown through joint exercises, training exchanges and defense agreements in recent years.
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Saudi Arabia remains one of Pakistan’s closest defense and security partners in the Middle East, with regular cooperation across air, land and naval domains.
