The Sino-Pak joint annual air exercise Shaheen-X commenced in the Jiuquan and Yinchuan cities of Northwest China on September 5, 2023. PAF's lead fighter aircraft J-10C and JF-17 participated in the exercise along with air and ground crew which included combat pilots, Air Defense Controllers, and technical ground crew, who remained actively engaged in the exercise.

People’s Liberation Army Air Force and Pakistan Air Force (PAF) have been conducting Shaheen joint exercises since 2011, which are being hosted by both countries on an alternate basis. Shaheen Exercise aimed at enhancing the aerial combat practices, operational readiness, promoting interoperability and creating synergy amongst the participating strategic and time-tested allies in the region. Moreover, incorporation of features like hybrid warfare, cyberspace and computing in this air exercise augmented PAF’s effectiveness in the dynamic and evolving landscape of modern warfare. The exercise leveraged the iron-brother countries to develop a comprehensive defense strategy to further consolidate their capacity of safeguarding their aerial boundaries in the face of shared challenges.

On September 19, 2023, the PAF contingent landed back at an operational air base of PAF after successful participation in Shaheen-X air exercise in China. 
The exercise was aimed at validating interoperability in the face of realistic contemporary air combat scenarios between the two strategic allies. Shaheen-X is the tenth in the series of Shaheen Air Exercises, annually held in both the countries on an alternate basis. The series of air exercises between PAF and People's Liberation Army Air Force are rooted in their enduring partnership. The collaborative endeavor has not only facilitated the exchange of valuable insights and lessons learned, but has also served as a catalyst for enhancing interoperability among the combat crews of both Air Forces. The combined efforts of PAF's crew coupled with the formidable air combat capabilities of J-10C and JF-17 aircraft have been instrumental in achieving remarkable success in this challenging exercise.
The successful participation of PAF air and ground crew in Shaheen series air exercises is reflective of the sound foothold of operational training of PAF personnel in line with the latest developments in aerial warfare in the face of shared challenges.