Pakistan Armed Forces deployments

Pakistan Armed Forces deployments encompass all military personnel stationed outside of Pakistan and serving in other countries. As the sixth largest military power in terms of active troops, Pakistan has a notable history of overseas military presence, particularly in the Middle East, where it has maintained military contingents, missions, and battalions across several states. To enhance its foreign policy and expand military relations and influence in the region, Pakistan signed defense protocols in the 1970s with various Arab nations, including Saudi Arabia, Libya, Jordan, Iraq, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait. Under these agreements, members of the armed forces from these countries received professional training from Pakistani advisers and military trainers. A bilateral agreement on defense cooperation was also established between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan; at that time, approximately 50,000 to 60,000 Pakistani military personnel were serving abroad, with the largest contingent—around 20,000—deployed in Saudi Arabia.

Background

The oil boom in the Persian Gulf during the 1970s and 1980s resulted in significant economic growth and increased geostrategic importance for the region. During this time, many Gulf states sought assistance from their regional neighbor, Pakistan, in developing their military capabilities. Consequently, personnel from the Pakistan Air Force, Army, and Navy were deployed to several countries, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan, Iraq, and Syria. Their primary roles included training local security forces and providing technical assistance to enhance the military infrastructure of these nations.

History

Africa

The Air Force of Zimbabwe (AFZ) underwent significant restructuring in the early 1980s, following its transition from the previously existing Rhodesian Air Force. During this period, the AFZ sought assistance from Pakistan and other foreign sources to maintain its operational capabilities. Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe formally requested that Pakistan assign an officer to take charge of the AFZ as its commander. As a result, Air Vice-Marshal Azim Daudpota was appointed Commander of the Air Force of Zimbabwe, serving in this role from July 1983 to January 1986. He is recognized as the first and only non-local commander of the AFZ. Additionally, a considerable number of other officers from the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) were also deployed in Zimbabwe alongside Daudpota to support the restructuring efforts.