ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Saturday visited the newly established Airpower Center of Excellence (ACE) at an operational air base of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF).

The prime minister also flew an exercise training mission in an F-16 fighter aircraft, belonging to the No 9 Squadron, becoming the first every prime minister to have participated in a flying mission. 

Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi before participating in F-16 sortie

The newly established facility is a premier institution which has been equipped with state of the art facilities and infrastructure. Besides training PAF personnel, this institute would also train the combat crew of friendly air forces by conducting multinational, training exercises.

The premier was also briefed on the ongoing exercise Saffron Bandit and was informed that the first ever multinational exercise will be held in October and would have participation from personnel from 19 air forces.

Air Chief Sohail Aman, who had earlier received the prime minister, briefed him over PAF?s contribution to nation building and in the field of education.

Abbasi also took a keen interest in the Aviation City project, established in Kamra to bring an innovative approach in the field of aviation. The project would focus mainly on research and development initiatives.