PAF Chief leads Strategic Talks in Romania to boost military cooperation Azad News HD

Introducing 

On 22 October 2025, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu embarked on a high-profile official visit to the Republic of Romania, a European nation whose strategic location and defence orientation make it a key actor in regional security. The visit forms part of Pakistan’s broader outreach to diversify its defence partnerships beyond traditional boundaries, aligning with the Pakistan Air Force’s evolving posture under Sidhu’s leadership.

Arrival and Formal Reception

Air Chief Marshal Sidhu arrived at the Romanian Air Force Headquarters, where he was received with full military honours by a smartly turned-out contingent of the Romanian Air Force. According to Pakistani military media, upon his arrival a Guard of Honour was presented, reflecting the high level of esteem in which the visit was held. 

This ceremonial reception — the Guard of Honour, the precise drill, the welcoming delegation — served not merely as protocol but also as a symbolic manifestation of the seriousness with which both countries regard this engagement. It underscored that Pakistan’s Chief of Air Staff is considered a peer by his Romanian counterparts, and that the Romanian Air Force views the PAF as a credible partner in air power cooperation.

Agenda and Strategic Significance

During his visit, Air Chief Marshal Sidhu held meetings with senior Romanian defence leadership, including the State Secretary of Defence Eduard Bachide and the Romanian Chief of Defence General Gheorgiță Vlad. These engagements were designed to explore deeper institutional cooperation between the two nations’ air forces and defence establishments.

Key agenda items included:

• Operational cooperation: The two air forces committed to exploring joint air exercises, exchange of air and ground crews, and professional training programmes. 

• Institutional frameworks: Both sides discussed setting up robust, sustained institutional mechanisms to govern and operationalize cooperation in aerial defence. A recurring theme in the official statements was the establishment of enduring frameworks rather than ad-hoc arrangements.

• Defence-industrial and aerospace collaboration: The talks also covered opportunities in defence-industrial partnerships, especially in advanced aerospace technologies. Romania’s European industrial base in aerospace, combined with Pakistan’s aspirations for indigenisation and self-reliance in defence, provides complementary potentials. 

• Regional security dynamics: The meeting included an exchange of views on regional and global security environments. Pakistan and Romania share an interest in stability in their respective regions, and this visit symbolised Pakistan’s intent to engage beyond South Asia, reaching into Europe. 

Pakistan’s Motivations and Strategic Context

For Pakistan, this visit is significant in multiple dimensions. First, under Air Chief Marshal Sidhu’s leadership the Pakistan Air Force has embarked on a transformation agenda emphasising modern air power, indigenisation, training and professionalisation.  Engaging with European air forces adds a new dimension to this agenda: not only strengthening bilateral relations but also acquiring new models of training, technology, and industry linkages.

Second, the evolving regional security environment in South Asia — including the Iran-Pakistan border dynamics, Pakistan-India tensions, and the broader geostrategic shifts — means that Pakistan is keen to strengthen its defence diplomacy. By reaching out to Romania, Pakistan demonstrates its willingness to work with European partners, thereby diversifying its defence network and gaining exposure to advanced western-oriented air force practices.

Third, Romania itself is a NATO member and part of the European Union, and has undergone significant modernisation of its air force and defence industry in recent decades. For Pakistan, forging ties with such a partner carries value: access to western-oriented training and technologies, potential collaboration in aerospace production or repair/overhaul, and enhanced interoperability. From Romania’s perspective, partnership with Pakistan offers access to South-Asian theatre experience, potential cooperation in training (given Pakistan’s experience with operations), and perhaps cost-effective collaboration in aerospace/defence fields.

Romanian Perspective and Mutual Benefits

According to Romanian media and Pakistani press releases, the Romanian Air Force Chief, Lieutenant General Leonard-Gabriel Barbăoi, praised the professionalism of the Pakistan Air Force, citing its recent operational achievements and indigenisation efforts under Sidhu’s command.  This commendation is noteworthy: it signals that Romania views Pakistan not simply as a regional partner, but as an air-force peer with whom it can cooperate credibly.

For Romania, deeper cooperation with Pakistan opens up a new avenue of collaboration beyond its traditional NATO partners. In the aerospace and defence industrial domain, Romania may benefit from access to Pakistan’s manufacturing, logistical, and geographical advantages, while Pakistan may access Romanian and broader European aerospace know-how. Institutionalising mechanisms of cooperation (e.g., training exchanges, co-development, personnel expertise sharing) creates value for both sides.

Outcomes and Agreements

While detailed contracts or MoUs have not been publicly itemised in full, the publicly reported outcomes of the visit include:

1. Agreement to create “robust institutional mechanisms” for sustained bilateral cooperation in aerial defence challenges.

2. Commitment to explore joint air exercises, exchange programmes for air and ground crews, and training initiatives between the two air forces. 

3. Discussion of defence-industrial and aerospace technology partnerships, signalling a desire to move beyond training exchanges into industrial collaboration. 

These outcomes mark a shift from broad diplomacy to actionable cooperation; the language used in official statements emphasises operational linkage rather than purely ceremonial intent.

Symbolic and Strategic Implications

This visit carries several symbolic and strategic implications.

• Broadening of Pakistan’s defence diplomacy: Pakistan has traditionally engaged in defence ties with countries in its immediate region, or with major powers such as the United States, China or Turkey. This outreach to Romania signals Pakistan’s willingness to engage more widely, including with European nations, thereby adding diversification to its defence partnerships.

• Showcasing PAF’s credentials: The public commendation from the Romanian side emphasises the PAF’s growing recognition internationally. This supports Pakistan’s narrative of a modernising and professional air force under Sidhu’s leadership.

• Operational and industrial linkage: The move towards defence-industrial cooperation suggests that Pakistan is increasingly focused on the “beyond training” domain: technology transfer, joint R&D, aerospace manufacturing. Romania, with its aerospace and defence industrial base, is a logical partner in this respect.

• Geostrategic messaging: For Romania, engaging Pakistan extends its defence diplomacy into South Asia. For Pakistan, it sends a message of openness, multi-directional engagement, and readiness to engage in global security architecture rather than being confined to regional niches.

• Institutional framework emphasis: The insistence on robust mechanisms rather than one-off engagements indicates a matured approach: both parties want enduring, structural cooperation, which implies a long-term commitment.

The Role of Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu

Air Chief Marshal Sidhu assumed command of the Pakistan Air Force in March 2021.  Under his initiative, the PAF has emphasised modernisation, self-reliance, professional training and aerospace technology. For example, a PAF publication states: “The incumbent drew inspiration from … resolved that only with discipline and self-reliance can the Pakistan Air Force be worthy of Pakistan.”  The Romania visit therefore is aligned with Sidhu’s broader vision of transforming the PAF into a modern, globally connected air power.

In his bilateral engagements, Sidhu emphasised the importance of operational collaboration (joint exercises, training), regional stability, and defence-industrial partnerships. This aligns with his broader strategic posture: moving the PAF from a primarily national defence force to one with global linkages, while simultaneously boosting indigenous capabilities. The visit to Romania, thus, is both a diplomatic milestone and a practical step in implementing that vision.

Broader Defence Cooperation Context

The visit occurs in the context of larger defence cooperation trends for Pakistan. The Pakistan Air Force has in recent years sought to expand its partnerships beyond the near-neighbourhood. It has engaged with multiple countries for training, joint exercises, technological collaboration, and industrial build-up. For instance, documentation notes that Pakistan values its strong diplomatic and defence relationship with various countries thanks to converging issues of regional peace, security and stability. 

The Romania engagement reflects this trend, and also addresses a specific gap: European aerospace knowledge and defence-industrial capacity. The intention to explore defence-industrial partnerships is forward-looking: as air power evolves rapidly, partnerships in aerospace manufacturing, maintenance, overhaul, avionics and sensors become as important as pilot training.

Regional Security and Mutual Challenges

Pakistan and Romania operate in very different security environments, but both face evolving aerial defence challenges. For Pakistan, the aerial domain is crowded — issues include border security (with Afghanistan, Iran), rivalry with India, and emerging threats in missile, unmanned aerial systems (UAS), and asymmetric warfare. For Romania, as a NATO member on Europe’s eastern flank, air defence challenges include territorial sovereignty, integration with NATO air defence architecture, and modern threats such as drones and hybrid warfare.

By cooperating, the two air forces can exchange lessons learned, training methodologies, and perhaps jointly prepare for complex threat environments. For example, Pakistan’s experience battling non-state actors and operating in challenging terrain provides practical insights, while Romania’s experience with NATO standardisation and European defence industry offers valuable technological and procedural frameworks.

Institutional Mechanisms: The Path Ahead

Both sides emphasised the need for sustained institutional mechanisms rather than standalone events. What might this entail in practice?

• Joint training centres or programmes: Possibly the establishment of mutual exchange programmes where Pakistani pilots or maintenance crew spend time in Romania and vice versa.

• Joint air exercises: Regularly scheduled exercises, which could involve Pakistani and Romanian aircraft operating in mock scenarios, or integrated training modules.

• Mutual logistics and maintenance cooperation: Given the aerospace industrial dimension, there may be cooperative agreements for maintenance, overhaul or upgrade of aircraft components, avionics, sensors.

• Defence-industrial collaboration: Co-production of components, joint R&D in aerospace technologies, potential licensing or manufacturing in Pakistan of some European-developed systems, or vice versa.

• Personnel exchange and professional education: Exchange of officers, aircrew, and ground staff for professional education (e.g., at staff colleges), joint seminars, workshops on air doctrine, unmanned systems, cyber‐air integration.

• Shared planning and interoperability frameworks: Developing protocols to ensure interoperability in multinational operations, perhaps in peace-keeping or coalition contexts, which may include Pakistan’s future participation in broader security efforts and Romania’s linking to NATO frameworks.

Potential Challenges and Mitigation

While the visit signifies ambition and goodwill, achieving deep cooperation will require addressing several challenges.

• Different operational priorities and equipment: Pakistani Air Force operates a diverse fleet (MiG, F-16, JF-17 etc), while Romanian Air Force has European systems and NATO interoperability requirements. Harmonising training, doctrine and logistics across such different platforms can be complex.

• Export control and technology transfer limitations: Advanced aerospace technologies often have export restrictions (especially when western-origin). The scope of any co-production or licensing deal will depend on legal, political and commercial frameworks.

• Sustaining institutional momentum: Setting up frameworks is one thing; implementing them and sustaining them over years amid changing governments, budgets and priorities is another. The success of such collaboration often depends on continuous high-level engagement and dedicated funding.

• Geopolitical alignments: Pakistan’s defence partnerships historically lean to China and Turkey; expanding into Europe may require balancing existing relationships and avoiding strategic friction. Similarly, Romania’s commitments to NATO and EU may impose certain alignment constraints.

• Cultural and administrative barriers: Differences in language, military culture, procurement practices, industrial capacity can slow cooperation unless addressed proactively.

Mitigation measures could include: establishing a bilateral working group to oversee planning and implementation; pilot projects (small-scale) to build trust and experience; phased cooperation (starting with training and exercises before moving to industrial projects); clarity on export/licensing frameworks; aligning cooperation with each country’s national defence priorities.

Implications for Pakistan-Romania Relations

Beyond the military domain, this visit and the cooperation it represents have broader bilateral implications.

• Strengthened diplomatic ties: Defence cooperation often acts as a catalyst for broader bilateral relations — including trade, technology transfer, cultural exchange, and political support. Pakistan-Romania relations may deepen accordingly.

• Economic and industrial linkages: Aerospace and defence cooperation often lead to manufacturing, service contracts, maintenance, and spares trade — providing economic benefit to both nations.

• Education and people-to-people links: Exchange of personnel, training programmes, visits may lead to wider educational and cultural links, enhancing mutual understanding.

• Enhanced strategic relevance for Pakistan in Europe: Pakistan’s outreach to a European air force adds a new dimension to its foreign policy profile, helping it engage on new fronts and perhaps gaining more defence-diplomatic space.

• Contribution to regional stability: By broadening its partnerships beyond the region, Pakistan signals its commitment to global security norms and responds to threat diversification in the aerial domain. Romania, by partnering with a country outside Europe, expands its own defence diplomacy.

Significance for Air Power and Aerospace Future

For the Pakistan Air Force, this visit is a step in what may be a larger trajectory: becoming an air force that is not only capable of defending the nation, but of engaging in global professional, industrial and technological partnerships.

The emphasis on aerospace and defence-industry cooperation is timely: modern air power increasingly relies on sensors, unmanned systems, network-centric operations, airborne warning & control systems (AWACS), drone swarms, electronic warfare – all domains where industrial capacity and technological partnerships matter. As Pakistan continues its indigenisation drive, cooperation with European partners such as Romania can accelerate access to know-how, training, maintenance, and integration.

For Romania, cooperation with Pakistan invites access to South Asian operational theatres, geopolitical reach, and potentially a partner for cost-effective collaboration in aerospace manufacturing or maintenance. It may also provide Europe with a partner network in South Asia, expanding the horizon of defence diplomacy beyond conventional boundaries.

Looking Ahead: Next Steps

To move from goodwill to concrete outcomes, the following steps may be expected:

• Finalisation of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) or bilateral treaty outlining specific cooperation areas between PAF and Romanian Air Force.

• Formation of a joint working group with representation from both Ministries of Defence, Air Forces, and industry representatives to prepare a roadmap and timeline for collaboration.

• Implementation of a pilot training exchange programme during which Pakistani air or ground crews visit Romania (or vice versa) to gain experience in different operational environments.

• Planning of a joint air exercise to be held in either Pakistan or Romania, involving multi-platform aircraft, crew exchanges and logistic interoperability.

• Feasibility study for aerospace/defence-industrial cooperation: evaluating which components, avionics, sensors, maintenance tasks or production could be jointly undertaken, licence-manufactured or maintained.

• Mechanism for periodic review and expansion: annual or biennial meetings of air chiefs, industrial delegates, training heads to review progress, refine objectives and expand cooperation.

Conclusion

The official visit of Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu to Romania represents more than a diplomatic courtesy. It is a tangible manifestation of Pakistan’s evolving defence posture: an air force seeking to modernise, to professionalise, to reach beyond its immediate region, and to engage with like-minded partners in Europe. It is likewise a milestone in Pakistan–Romania military relations, opening up fresh opportunities for cooperation in air power, aerospace industry, training, and strategic defence diplomacy.

The focus on joint air exercises, exchange programmes, industrial partnerships and institutional mechanisms signals that both parties are serious about moving beyond symbolic ties towards meaningful, sustained collaboration. While significant work remains — including detailed planning, implementation, and overcoming institutional challenges — the foundation has been laid. Both nations stand to benefit: Pakistan from exposure to European air-force practices and industrial know-how; Romania from collaboration with a credible air-force partner and access to South Asian operational experience and industrial markets.

In a rapidly evolving global security environment—where aerial dominance, unmanned systems, networked operations and aerospace‐industry ecosystems matter more than ever—this Pakistan-Romania engagement could serve as a template for how air forces of different geographies and traditions can cooperate for mutual benefit. For Pakistan, under Sidhu’s leadership, this visit signals a rising confidence and a broader strategic horizon. For Romania, it offers a pathway into a new region and new partnerships.

Looking ahead, the success of this cooperation will depend on maintaining momentum, translating discussions into action, structuring the industrial and training collaborations, and ensuring that when the next meetings occur, they bring concrete deliverables — air exercises flown, crews exchanged, components co-produced, and perhaps even a joint venture in aerospace manufacturing. If that happens, history will mark this visit not only as symbolic but as a turning point in Pakistan’s defence-industrial partnerships and in Pakistan-Romania bilateral relations.