The Centre for Aerospace & Security Studies (CASS), Lahore, hosted a seminar titled “Next-Generation Air Warfare: Transforming South Asian Air Forces” recently. The event focused on the evolving landscape of air warfare, amid emerging technologies. MsNidaaShahid, Senior Researcher, CASS, delivered the introductory remarks.
Air Commodore Khalid Banuri (Retd), a senior strategy analyst, delivered a compelling keynote address wherein he discussed the evolution of air warfare through emerging technologies such as AI and called for active partnership between the defence sector, government entities and the private sector to leverage emerging technologies and to ensure the modernisation of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF).
DrGhulamMujaddid, Assistant Professor, National Defence University, provided insights from the Russia-Ukraine conflict, illustrating the effectiveness of advanced weapon systems in air warfare. Noting that Russian nuclear forces are on high alert, he highlighted the delicate balance between conventional and nuclear escalation. He also emphasised the strategic use of cyber warfare in modern military operations to bolster
the resilience of smaller air forces against larger adversaries.
Dr Adil Sultan, Dean FASS, Air University, illustrated the critical importance of continuous adaptation, stating that next-generation air dominance will feature advanced
aircraft, drones, AI and integrated systems. He further called on the military-industrial complex to invest in dual-use technology to reduce costs. He also alluded to the role of think tanks in carrying out focused studies with the aim to provide policy relevant input to the policymakers.
