A Chinese-designed J-10C fighter jet and a Eurofighter Typhoon combat jet will fly together (and try to defeat each other) for the first time during the binational Zilzal-II air exercise.
The Pakistan Air Force and Qatar’s Emiri Air Force are set to participate in the joint Zilzal-II air exercise, which will begin in Qatar. The Zilzal-II air exercise, which was first held in 2020, is the second in the series of such exercises organized by the State of Qatar. During the Zilzal-I exercise, Pakistani JF-17 Thunder fighters were pitted against Qatari Mirage 2000-5s in air combat exercises.
PAK-QATAR JOINT AERIAL EXERCISE “ZILZAL-II” KICKS OFF IN QATAR
10 January, 2024: Pakistan Air Force and Qatar Emiri Air Force are all geared up to participate in joint aerial Exercise Zilzal-II, commencing in Qatar. First held in the year 2020, Zilzal-II air exercise is the 2nd… pic.twitter.com/lI5GHohjL5
— DGPR (AIR FORCE) (@DGPR_PAF) January 10, 2024
On its social media, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) reports that the highly complex maneuvers to be conducted by both Air Forces are intended to foster interoperability between the two allied nations while providing an opportunity for shared learning. The exercise will mimic a near-realistic air warfare scenario, along with a real-time opportunity for the participating Air Forces to test their operational readiness. The Zilzal-II exercise, aimed at enhancing the joint planning mechanism, is seen as a historic benchmark to further consolidate the existing defense partnership between the two brotherly countries.
See also: Pakistan formalizes interest in Chinese J-31/FC-31 “Gyrfalcon” stealth fighter
During the exercise, the latest generation J-10C fighter aircraft, recently inducted into the PAF, will engage for the first time in an air exercise against a Eurofighter of the Qatar Emirate Air Force (QEAF). The successful induction and commissioning of the J-10C fighter aircraft into the PAF fighter fleet and their participation in another international exercise in a short space of time represents a remarkable achievement.
