Gulf News

Pakistani, Chinese air forces hold joint displays in Quetta

China’s Ba Yi team makes stopover after successful­ly performing at Dubai Air Show

-

The sky filled with vibrant colours as Chinese aerobatics team Ba Yi put on a display in Quetta, the capital city of Pakistan’s Balochista­n province.

The performanc­e was part of an air show organised by Pakistan Air Force (PAF) at Samungli airbase, near Quetta, on November 19.

Fighter jets from the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) and PAF jointly participat­ed in the air show, with pilots performing various flying manoeuvres.

Pakistan’s JF-17 and Chinese J-10 aircraft demonstrat­ed their aerobatic capabiliti­es at the air show, held to strengthen cordial bilateral ties between the two countries under the ChinaPakis­tan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Balochista­n Chief Minister Nawab Sanaullah Zehri was chief guest at the event while Air Vice-Marshal Haseeb Paracha, Air Officer Commanding, Southern Air Command, attended the event as special guest.

Senior of civil and military officials both countries witnessed the mega event, together with a huge crowd of more than 6,000 people.

The ceremony started the national anthems of countries.

Mirage jets, F-7PGs and J-10s filled Quetta’s sky with the various colours.

Aircraft from the Ba Yi team created red, white, blue and yellow smoke trails across the sky.

Helicopter fly-past

with both

The crowd was excited to see the performanc­e by the Chinese Ba Yi team which made a stopover in Pakistan after successful­ly performing at the Dubai Air Show 2017.

The formation of four F-7 PG aircraft was an outstandin­g aerial display, led by Wing Commander Armughan.

After the departure of the roaring F-7 PG, army helicopter­s performed a fly-past which was followed by the newly procured Agusta Westland AW-139 helicopter which appeared on the horizon for solo aerobatics display.

The six-member team of Chinese J-10s, led by Colonel Cao Zhenzhong, however was the main attraction of the air show.

The J-10 roared in the sky like lions, performing spectacula­r manoeuvres which thrilled the crowd.

The Chinese aerobatics team received huge appreciati­on and applause from the audience.

“This was the first time that Chinese team performed at a high-altitude of 1,600 metres. “It’s a challenge for us as we never flew in a high-altitude mountainou­s area before,” Wei Guoyi, chief of staff of the Bayi Aerobatics Team, was quoted as saying by China Military.

 ?? Courtesy: PAF ?? Aircraft of the Chinese aerobatic team Ba Yi fly in formation during the air show hosted by Pakistan’s air force at Samungli airbase.
Courtesy: PAF Aircraft of the Chinese aerobatic team Ba Yi fly in formation during the air show hosted by Pakistan’s air force at Samungli airbase.
 ?? Courtesy: PAF ?? Various aircraft, including Mirage jets, F-7PGs and J-10s entertaine­d a huge crowd of more than 6,000 people.
Courtesy: PAF Various aircraft, including Mirage jets, F-7PGs and J-10s entertaine­d a huge crowd of more than 6,000 people.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Arab Emirates