Bahrain National Guard commander holds talks with Pakistan’s top military leadership

RAWALPINDI: The commander of the Bahrain National Guard met with Pakistan’s top military leadership on Tuesday to discuss regional security dynamics and expand bilateral cooperation in defense technology, joint training and maritime security.

According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Isa Bin Salman Al Khalifa held separate meetings in Rawalpindi and Islamabad with Chief of Defense Forces, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, as well as the chiefs of Pakistan’s navy and air force.

The high-level visit comes as Pakistan seeks to deepen military-to-military collaboration and export its indigenous defense capabilities to traditional allies in the Gulf region.

During talks at Army General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi, Field Marshal Munir and the Bahraini commander reviewed the regional security environment and avenues to boost defense cooperation.

Both dignitaries expressed satisfaction with long-standing bilateral ties, according to a statement issued by the Pakistani military’s media wing.

At Air Headquarters, discussions shifted toward rapid technological shifts in modern warfare.

Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu briefed the Bahraini general on the Pakistan Air Force’s ongoing modernization programs.

The talks focused on emerging technologies; integration of drones, artificial intelligence (AI); autonomous systems; systems and infrastructure; advanced digital sensors, digital innovation; integrated air defence architectures and joint training reforms and technical capacity-building initiatives.

In a separate session at Naval Headquarters, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf discussed maritime security dynamics in the Arabian Sea and wider Indian Ocean.

General Al Khalifa commended the Pakistan Navy’s operational role in maintaining stable trade corridors and advancing cooperative maritime security initiatives in the region.

Pakistan and Bahrain have historically maintained close security ties. Pakistan’s armed forces have long provided training modules, technical personnel, and security assistance to Bahrain and other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states.

Military officials from both sides noted that Tuesday’s meetings are expected to pave the way for structured collaboration in defense indigenization and electronic warfare systems.