ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has successfully conducted Exercise “Golden Eagle” within the area of responsibility of its Southern Air Command, the military’s media wing said on Tuesday.
According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the exercise was aimed at validating combat readiness and operational agility through the synchronised employment of the PAF’s full spectrum combat capabilities.
The drill was conducted under a Two-Force construct, focusing on AI-enabled and net-centric operations while integrating indigenous niche, disruptive and smart technologies in line with evolving regional security dynamics.
ISPR said that operating within a robust integrated air defence system, friendly forces shaped the battlespace by seamlessly combining kinetic operations with cyber, space and electromagnetic spectrum domains.
The kinetic phase featured swing-role combat aircraft employing a “First-Shoot, First-Kill” concept. The aircraft were equipped with long-range beyond-visual-range (BVR) air-to-air missiles, extended-range stand-off weapons and precision strike capabilities. These operations were supported by airborne early warning and control platforms as well as air-to-air refuelling aircraft.
A key highlight of the exercise was Manned–Unmanned Teaming, involving deep-reach armed drones and loitering munitions operating in a highly contested and degraded environment. The exercise validated the PAF’s capability to conduct high-tempo operations in modern warfare scenarios.
The exercise was executed under unified command and control from the Next-Generation All-Domain Command and Control Centre at Air Headquarters, Islamabad.
The successful conduct of Exercise Golden Eagle reaffirms the PAF’s commitment to maintaining a high level of operational preparedness, leveraging indigenous innovation and effectively responding to emerging and future security challenges, the statement added.