The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Western Theater Command will send troops to Pakistan for a joint anti-terrorism exercise, Warrior-VIII, from late November to mid-December. The Chinese Ministry of Defense confirmed the drill in a statement released on Tuesday.
The exercise, based on a long-standing military partnership, aims to enhance counter-terrorism cooperation between China and Pakistan. According to the Chinese Defense Ministry, the Warrior-VIII exercise will focus on “a joint anti-terrorism elimination and strike operation,” featuring mixed training across multiple specialties and live-force drills based on actual combat procedures.
This year’s exercise marks the eighth edition of the Warrior series, a series of joint military exercises designed to deepen strategic ties between the two nations. The drills will include a variety of training scenarios, ranging from joint planning to operational exercises. The focus will be on strengthening the two countries’ ability to conduct coordinated anti-terrorism operations, with the goal of improving readiness for real-world security challenges.
“This exercise aims to consolidate and deepen practical exchanges and cooperation between the two militaries, as well as to strengthen their joint anti-terrorism capabilities,” the Chinese Ministry of Defense stated.
The Warrior-VIII exercise will take place after a gap of five years, the last edition having been held in 2019. The long-standing cooperation between China and Pakistan in defense matters has been seen as a reflection of their broader strategic and economic ties. The exercise is expected to further solidify military cooperation in the face of common security threats.