Centcom says anti-terror training drills to bolster US-Pakistan defence ties
US Central Command (Centcom) has commended the recently-concluded joint counter-terrorism training exercises with Pakistan, saying such drills will strengthen the longstanding defence ties between the two countries.
Military-to-military ties between Pakistan and the United States appeared to be getting strength, marked by renewed joint training, major defence sales and unusually warm rhetoric from President Donald Trump towards Pakistan’s military leadership.
A statement issued by the US Central Command (Centcom) on X platform said American and Pakistani troops this week concluded joint training at Pakistan’s National Counter-Terrorism Center in Pabbi.
The statement further said “This week, US and Pakistan Army Soldiers completed training at Pakistan’s National Counter-Terrorism Center during Exercise Inspired Gambit, which focused on combined infantry skills and tactics, and counterterrorism operations. Training exercises like this between the US and Pakistan strengthen our long-standing defence ties.”
The exercise comes amid broader signs of re-engagement between the two defence establishments. In December, the United States approved the sale of advanced technology and upgrade packages for Pakistan’s F-16 fighter aircraft, a deal valued at approximately $686 million. The approval followed regional tensions after Pakistan and India fought a brief but intense five-day conflict in May 2025.
In June 2025, President Donald Trump hosted Field Marshal Munir at the White House for a lunch meeting — the first time a sitting US president formally received the head of Pakistan’s army. The meeting took place amid worsening disagreement with India over Trump’s repeated claim that he personally halted the May conflict between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.
This week, U.S. and Pakistan Army Soldiers completed training at Pakistan's National Counter-Terrorism Center during Exercise Inspired Gambit, which focused on combined infantry skills and tactics, and counterterrorism operations. Training exercises like this between the U.S. and… pic.twitter.com/z8eZNvPKLS
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) January 16, 2026