CASS Lahore hosts seminar on evolving role of air power

LAHORE: (Web Desk) —The Centre for Aerospace and Security Studies (CASS) Lahore organised a seminar titled “Air Power and the Changing Character of Conflicts” on April 30, 2026, bringing together academics, intellectuals, senior officers, and domain experts.

Associate Director Nidaa Shahid delivered the opening address, setting the tone for a comprehensive discussion on evolving warfare dynamics.

President of Pakistan Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS), Amir Rana, highlighted the global evolution of non-state drone warfare. He noted that armed groups are increasingly deploying unmanned systems for surveillance, coercion, and combat operations.

He warned that Pakistan is witnessing a similar trajectory, with weaponised quadcopters transitioning into a routine operational tool for non-state actors, posing new challenges for escalation stability.

Air Vice Marshal Tariq Ghazi, Director General Projects at Air Headquarters (AHQ), emphasised that air power remains a critical prerequisite for success in modern warfare.

He observed that conflicts have shifted from platform-centric operations to network-centric, multi-domain combat systems, where manned aircraft, unmanned systems, and precision weapons operate in an integrated framework. He further underscored the growing importance of cyber, space, and electromagnetic domains in shaping battlefield outcomes.

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Brigadier (Retd) Zahir Kazmi, Advisor Arms Control at SPD, analysed the strategic implications of emerging technologies such as hypersonic and dual-capable missile systems.

He highlighted that increasing ambiguity in payloads and intent is blurring the line between conventional and nuclear signalling, particularly in South Asia, raising the risks of miscalculation and escalation.

In his concluding remarks, Air Marshal (Retd) Asim Suleiman, President of CASS Lahore, stated that the character of warfare is rapidly evolving, with the air domain emerging as the primary arena where tactical actions can have strategic consequences.

He stressed that advancements in drones, precision weapons, and real-time surveillance have compressed decision-making cycles. He added that success in modern conflicts depends on integrated multi-domain operations and effective escalation management.

Referring to recent conflicts, including the 2025 Pakistan-India tensions, he noted that technological superiority alone is insufficient without cohesive strategy, doctrine, and execution.

He also highlighted the role of the Pakistan Air Force in conducting well-coordinated operations under the leadership of Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu.

The seminar concluded with an interactive session, where participants underscored the central role of airspace as a shared operational domain across all levels of conflict and appreciated CASS Lahore’s initiative in hosting an insightful and thought-provoking discussion.