The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) on Monday completed the ‘Golden Eagle’ training exercise, focusing on artificial intelligence (AI) and new indigenous technology, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said. The exercise took place in the Southern Air Command area to check combat readiness and operational agility using the full combat power of the PAF. It was run under a unified command from the Next-Generation All-Domain Command and Control Centre at Air Headquarters in Islamabad. The drills were based on a two-force setup, emphasizing AI-enabled and net-centric operations while integrating local smart and disruptive technologies to match changing regional security needs. ISPR said the exercise operated within a strong integrated air defence system and combined kinetic, cyber, space, and electromagnetic actions smoothly. The kinetic phase included first-shoot, first-kill swing-role combat jets armed with long-range beyond visual range air-to-air missiles, extended-range stand-off weapons, and precision strikes, backed by early warning control planes and air-to-air refuellers. A key feature was “manned-unmanned teaming,” where drones and loitering munitions operated with fighters in a tough and crowded environment, testing PAF’s high-tempo operation abilities. The ISPR statement concluded: “The successful conduct of exercise ‘Golden Eagle’ reaffirms PAF’s unwavering commitment to maintaining a high state of operational preparedness, leveraging indigenous innovation and effectively countering emerging and future security challenges.”