Lahore | April 30, 2026: Centre for Aerospace and Security Studies hosted a seminar in Lahore on Thursday examining the changing character of warfare and the growing role of air power in modern conflicts.

The event, titled “Air Power and the Changing Character of Conflicts,” brought together academics, defence experts, and senior officials to discuss emerging trends in warfare, including the increasing use of drones, network-centric operations, and multi-domain integration.

Opening the session, Nidaa Shahid, Associate Director at CASS Lahore, outlined the purpose of the seminar, focusing on evolving security challenges and technological advancements shaping contemporary conflict environments.

Amir Rana, President of the Pakistan Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS), highlighted the growing use of unmanned systems by non-state actors, noting that drone technology is becoming more accessible and operationally significant. He said such developments present new challenges for security and require coordinated responses.

Air Vice Marshal Tariq Ghazi, Director General Projects at Air Headquarters, said air power continues to play a central role in modern warfare. He noted that conflicts are shifting from platform-based operations to integrated systems involving manned and unmanned assets, precision weapons, and multi-domain coordination across cyber and space.

Brigadier (Retd) Zahir Kazmi, Advisor Arms Control at SPD, discussed strategic implications of emerging technologies, including hypersonic systems and dual-capable missiles. He said compressed decision timelines and evolving signalling dynamics are increasing complexity in maintaining stability, particularly in South Asia.

In his concluding remarks, Air Marshal (Retd) Asim Suleiman, President of CASS Lahore, said the nature of warfare is increasingly shaped by technological integration and rapid decision-making cycles. He noted that recent conflicts demonstrate the importance of coordinated operations across multiple domains rather than reliance on individual platforms.

The seminar concluded with an interactive session, with participants emphasising the importance of airspace as a critical operational domain in both conventional and strategic contexts.

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