The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has announced its participation in the prestigious multi-national air exercise, “Spears of Victory 2026,” scheduled to take place at the King Abdulaziz Air Base in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Representing Pakistan’s commitment to regional peace and international military cooperation, the PAF contingent includes its frontline F-16 Block-52+ multi-role fighter aircraft, supported by IL-78 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft to ensure long-range endurance and mid-air refueling capabilities.
Pakistan has deployed its F-16 Block-52+ & IL-78 for the Exercise Spears of Victory in Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦🦅🇵🇰
Its note worthy that PAF will be facing French Air Force [Operating Rafale] for the first time since it shot down Rafale during May 2025 conflict, Hellenic Air Force has… pic.twitter.com/dDWpcAPlyD
— ENTEI (@ZEUS_PSF) January 18, 2026
Strategic Engagement and Regional Significance
The exercise brings together air arms from several major powers, providing a unique platform for high-end aerial combat simulations. Participating nations include:
- Host: Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF)
- Participants: United States Air Force (USAF), United Kingdom’s Royal Air Force (RAF), French Air & Space Force, Hellenic Air Force (Greece), UAE Air Force, and the Royal Jordanian Air Force, among others.
A Historic Aerial Encounter
Exercise Spears of Victory 2026 is particularly noteworthy as it marks the first time the Pakistan Air Force will engage in joint maneuvers with the French Air & Space Force and the Hellenic Air Force, both of whom have deployed their Rafale fighter jets.
This encounter carries immense tactical significance, marking the first professional engagement between the two platforms since the historic May 2025 conflict, where the PAF’s operational superiority was demonstrated during high-intensity kinetic operations. The exercise provides a professional environment for the PAF to refine its “No Dogfight” doctrine and validate its combat tactics against contemporary 4.5-generation adversaries in a complex, multi-domain electronic warfare environment.
Objectives of the Exercise
The primary goal of the PAF’s participation is to:
- Enhance Interoperability: Strengthening coordination with the Royal Saudi Air Force and other allied nations.
- Tactical Validation: Testing the integration of the IL-78 MRTT in providing strategic reach for the F-16 fleet during prolonged operations.
- COMAO Training: Executing Large Force Employment (LFE) and Composite Air Operations (COMAO) in a highly contested airspace.
The exercise is set to conclude with a grand closing ceremony, following weeks of intensive combat training and cross-platform synergy.
