Future of warfare being written in Indian Ocean: naval chief
Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf, as chief guest, addresses an international conference, stressing collaboration between industry, academia and end-users to promote innovation, indigenisation and self-reliance. Photo: X
Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf on Thursday said that the future of warfare was being shaped in the Indian Ocean due to its vast contribution to global trade, cautioning that any disruption could significantly impact global supply chains and energy prices.
According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the naval chief made the remarks at the conclusion of a two-day international conference titled “Emerging Technologies and the Future Warfare”, hosted by the Maritime Centre of Excellence (MCE) in Karachi, where he attended as chief guest.
The conference aimed to bring together maritime experts, academia and defence industry representatives to discuss evolving geostrategic trends and the impact of technology on modern warfare.
A two day international conference on Emerging Technologies and the Future Warfare, hosted by Maritime Centre of Excellence, culminated at Karachi, bringing together maritime experts, academia and defence industry representatives on one platform. 1/2 pic.twitter.com/NkU4A7kXm7
Addressing participants, Admiral Ashraf underscored the importance of close collaboration between industry, end-users and academia to drive innovation, adaptability and operational relevance.
“Such collaboration would promote indigenisation and self-reliance, helping build a cost-effective and globally competitive defence ecosystem for Pakistan with export potential,” he said.
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Highlighting the strategic significance of the Indian Ocean, he reiterated that the region was central to global trade flows and warned that any disruption could have far-reaching consequences for economies linked to it.
The conference also highlighted the increasingly blurred lines between civilian and military applications of advanced technologies, noting that this trend presented both opportunities and challenges for Pakistan’s defence ecosystem. Participants discussed how rapid technological advancements were transforming warfare by reshaping operational concepts, force structures and outcomes.
The event was attended by senior military leadership, policymakers, diplomats, academics, industry experts and students from various universities.
It concluded with a reaffirmation of the need for sustained intellectual collaboration to effectively navigate technology-driven transformations and harness future trends in warfare.
Earlier this year, the Pakistan Navy conducted a “Passage Exercise” with a Royal Oman Navy ship, KHASAB, involving a flotilla comprising sail ships and a vessel of the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency.
A day later, the navy carried out a comprehensive exercise in the North Arabian Sea, testing surface-to-air missiles, loitering munitions and an unmanned surface vessel, the ISPR said.
Last year, during hostilities between Pakistan and India in May, the Pakistan Navy said it had prevented the Indian Navy’s aircraft carrier INS Vikrant from undertaking any maritime action in the North Arabian Sea through a coordinated strategy.
“Not only did the Pakistan Navy restrict the Indian Navy to its own waters, but it also ensured the safety of Pakistan's maritime trade routes and coastal regions,” officials had told The Express Tribune.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had also commended the Pakistan Navy for its readiness and professionalism, stating that the naval forces were fully prepared to launch an operation akin to the historic Operation Dwarka. However, he said the Indian Navy avoided confrontation after witnessing the befitting response from Pakistan’s ground and air forces.