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Military cooperation between Pakistan and the United States (US) is showing clear signs of renewal, marked by joint counterterrorism training, major weapons sales and unusually warm political messaging from Washington.
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The US Central Command (Centcom) confirmed this week that American and Pakistani soldiers concluded training at Pakistan’s National Counter-Terrorism Center in Pabbi. The exercise, dubbed “Inspired Gambit”, focused on combined infantry and counterterrorism tactics. Centcom described such drills as strengthening “long-standing defense ties” between the two militaries.
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
The renewed cooperation follows a US approval in December for the sale of advanced upgrades for Pakistan’s F-16 fleet, a package reportedly worth around $686 million. The deal came months after Pakistan and India fought a brief but intense five-day conflict in May 2025. Washington has long viewed the F-16 programme as a key pillar of bilateral defence engagement, with Pakistan believed to operate between 70 and 80 aircraft across several variants.
Political signals from the White House have also drawn attention. President Donald Trump has repeatedly praised Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, calling him his “favourite field marshal” on multiple occasions since returning to office last January. Trump has claimed Pakistani leaders credited him with preventing mass casualties during the May 2025 conflict with India, while also publicly acknowledging Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during multilateral engagements.
The warming rhetoric stands in contrast to previous years, when mistrust dominated relations over Afghanistan and counterterrorism. Analysts say Washington’s renewed focus on the Middle East — particularly Gaza and Iran — and Pakistan’s performance during the 2025 confrontation with India have encouraged a recalibration of ties.
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Islamabad has also signalled openness to joining a US-led international stabilisation force for Gaza, underscoring its interest in expanded security cooperation. Diplomatic and military engagement in recent months suggests the two countries are entering a more pragmatic phase in their defence relationship.