ISLAMABAD (Khyber Mail): In a pivotal seminar hosted by the Centre for Aerospace & Security Studies (CASS), Islamabad, experts emphasized the imperative role of indigenisation and technological sovereignty in shaping Pakistan’s defence evolution.
The seminar, titled ‘Shifting Battlefields: Impact of Emerging Technologies on the Character of Warfare in South Asia,’ brought together leaders from defence, technology, and academia.
Adapting to Technological Evolution: Air Marshal Farooq Habib (Retd), Senior Director at CASS, highlighted the complexity of technological evolution in military contexts. He stressed the need for Pakistan’s defence sector to adapt and evolve to maintain strategic and tactical superiority.
- Influence on Warfare: Lieutenant General Aamer Riaz (Retd), former President of the National Defense University, underscored the profound influence of technological advancements on the character of warfare. He called for strategic adaptation to innovations in space, cyber, AI, and more.
- Importance of Airpower: Mr Fawad Zahir, a Defence and Strategic Studies Expert, focused on the importance of airpower enhanced by big data analysis, quantum computing, and machine learning. He urged robust civilian-military collaboration and strategic investment aligned with Pakistan’s core defence needs.
- AI Revolution: Prof. Dr Yasar Ayaz, Chairman/CPD of the National Centre of Artificial Intelligence (NCAI), marked AI as the third major evolution after gunpowder and nuclear power. He stressed the importance of indigenous development for strategic autonomy and technological sovereignty.
- Cyber Operations: Mr Khawaja Mohammad Ali, a Cyber Security, Data Privacy, and Digital Forensics Expert, advocated for a national cybersecurity authority, training programs, cyber diplomacy, and indigenous development in cybersecurity solutions.
- Narrative Building: Senior Journalist and Columnist, Mr Zarar Khurro, focused on the strategic importance of narrative building in advanced technological warfare, emphasizing the impact of social media on public opinion.
- Concluding Remarks: President CASS-Islamabad, Air Marshal Farhat Hussain Khan (Retd), reiterated the critical importance of first-shot capability in modern warfare. He called for an indigenisation strategy supporting the development of homegrown technologies.
The seminar highlighted the urgent need for Pakistan to embrace indigenisation and support homegrown technologies, ensuring enhanced national security and defence autonomy. The discourse, enriched by active participation from a diverse audience, emphasizes strategic, policy-oriented approaches to navigate the challenges and opportunities in this new era of conflict.