ISLAMABAD, April 21 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani and Turkish air forces on Monday launched a 10-day joint exercise, according to a statement from Pakistan Air Force (PAF).

    The exercises code-named "Indus Viper" were launched at Pakistan Air Force base in eastern Pakistan's Punjab province, the PAF statement said.

    Turkish Air Force contingent arrived with five F-16 C/D aircraft and 50 personnel at the PAF base to participate in the exercise.

    The ten-day multi-dimensional exercise, in which the combat crew will be exposed to near realistic scenarios, would end on April 29.

    "The event would not only give an opportunity to the combat crew of both air forces to interact more closely, but also help in strengthening brotherly relations that the two nations enjoy," said Air Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman, deputy chief of the Air Staff.