ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Jordan have reaffirmed their commitment todeepening defence cooperation during King Abdullah II’s landmark two-dayvisit to the country, marking a pivotal moment in bilateral relations. TheJordanian monarch, who arrived on November 16, engaged in high-leveldiscussions with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Syed AsimMunir, Chief of Army Staff, focusing on enhancing military-to-military tiesamid shared aspirations for regional stability. This visit, the first by aJordanian head of state in over two decades, not only symbolizes theenduring fraternal bonds between the two nations but also opens avenues forstrategic collaboration in an increasingly volatile geopolitical landscape.
During the engagements, King Abdullah toured the Global Industrial andDefence Solutions (GIDS) facility in Rawalpindi, where he received acomprehensive briefing on Pakistan’s advancements in indigenous defenceproduction and technological innovations. Officials highlighted GIDS’sdiverse product portfolio, including advanced weaponry systems andsurveillance technologies, positioning it as a potential hub for jointventures.
The monarch expressed admiration for Pakistan’s self-reliance in defencemanufacturing, which has evolved significantly through investments inresearch and development. This exposure could facilitate technologytransfers, enabling Jordan to bolster its defence capabilities whileproviding Pakistan access to Middle Eastern markets for its exports.Analysts note that such partnerships could yield economic dividends forPakistan, whose defence industry contributes substantially to its GDP,fostering job creation and technological spillover into civilian sectors.
Further emphasizing operational synergy, King Abdullah observed a dynamicjoint fire and manoeuvre exercise at the Tilla Field Firing Ranges nearJhelum. The demonstration showcased multi-domain operations integratingconventional ground forces, air firepower, coordinated manoeuvres, spectrumwarfare, and multi-purpose unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) inreconnaissance and strike roles. This display of interoperabilityunderscored opportunities for expanded joint military exercises, a domainwhere both nations have historically collaborated through high-levelexchanges and training programs.
In an era marked by asymmetric threats and cyber vulnerabilities, suchinitiatives could enhance mutual preparedness against terrorism and hybridwarfare, aligning with broader counter-terrorism frameworks like thoseunder the United Nations.
The visit also saw the signing of memorandums of understanding innon-defence areas such as media, culture, and education, reflecting aholistic approach to bilateral engagement. Field Marshal Munir reiteratedPakistan’s dedication to realizing a shared vision of peace, while KingAbdullah conferred the Order of the Military Merit of First Degree on thearmy chief in recognition of his contributions to defence ties.
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Experts argue that this deepened cooperation extends beyond tacticallevels, potentially influencing regional dynamics by counteringdestabilizing influences in the Middle East and South Asia. For Jordan,reliant on robust alliances for security, partnering with Pakistan—anuclear-armed state with battle-hardened forces—offers strategic depth.Conversely, Pakistan stands to gain diplomatic leverage, reinforcing itsrole as a bridge between Islamic worlds.
As the visit concludes, both sides pledged to institutionalize thesecommitments through follow-up mechanisms, including working groups ondefence innovation and intelligence sharing. This evolving partnership notonly fortifies bilateral resilience but also contributes to a more secureglobal order, where collaborative defence postures deter aggression andpromote dialogue.
Source: www.dawn.com/news/1955457″>https://www.dawn.com/news/1955457https://tribune.com.pk/story/2577824/pakistan-jordan-vow-to-expand-military-ties