A recent meeting between Pakistan’s Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber, and Commander of the Bahrain National Guard, General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Isa Bin Salman Al-Khalifa, has sparked speculation about a potential arms deal and broader security cooperation.
JF-17 Thunder in the Spotlight :The visit by the Bahraini commander comes amidst Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to market the JF-17 Thunder, a lightweight, multirole combat aircraft jointly developed with China. The JF-17 is positioned as a cost-effective alternative to Western jets, boasting capabilities like air-to-air and air-to-surface combat, aerial reconnaissance, and anti-ship warfare.
Middle East Market for JF-17 :Several Middle Eastern countries have shown interest in the JF-17, with Pakistan actively promoting the aircraft in the region. Bahrain’s interest could be a significant development for the JF-17 program.
Beyond Fighter Jets: Cybersecurity Cooperation :While the focus may be on the JF-17, reports suggest the meeting also covered cybersecurity, a growing concern for nations worldwide. Collaboration on this front could be another area of potential cooperation between Pakistan and Bahrain. The Bahrain commander expressed interest in the strides made by the PAF in the cyber domain and conveyed his intention to dispatch a specialized team to the PAF to assess and address any existing gaps within the emerging technologies architecture of Bahrain armed forces. The CAS reassured the guest of the PAF’s wholehearted cooperation and pledged full support to work together towards fortifying technological frameworks of Bahrain armed forces.
This high-level meeting signifies a potential turning point in relations between Pakistan and Bahrain. The discussions on the JF-17 and cybersecurity could pave the way for a broader strategic partnership, encompassing both military and technological cooperation.