COLOMBO AIR SYMPOSIUM 2025 CONCLUDES WITH INSIGHTFUL DELIBERATIONS ON AIR AND SPACE POWER IN THE INDIAN OCEAN REGION
8:35pm on Tuesday 11th February 2025
The second and final day's sessions of the 'Colombo Air Symposium 2025' commenced this morning (11 February 2025) at the BMICH in Colombo. The symposium, held under the theme "Transforming Air and Space Power for a Resilient Tomorrow: Prospects for Air Forces of the Indian Ocean Rim," continued into its second day with the arrival of the Guest of Honour, the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Bandu Edirisinghe.
During the inauguration, the event was graced by Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara as the Chief Guest. Additionally, Dr. Brian W. Cole, Ph.D., from the Eisenhower School, National Defence University, Washington, DC, delivered the keynote address. Addressing the audience, Major General Jayasekara emphasized, "The evolving security landscape in the Indian Ocean region demands innovation, collaboration and unwavering commitment. Air and space power will be at the forefront of safeguarding our maritime interests and economic stability, making strategic partnerships and technological advancements more critical than ever."
Dr. Brian W. Cole, in his keynote address, remarked, "The transformation of air and space power is not just about technological evolution; it is about reimagining strategy, enhancing partnerships and ensuring resilience in an increasingly contested and unpredictable world."
Spanning two days, the forum was structured around five key sub-themes, with 12 distinguished speakers presenting their research, each addressing critical aspects of modern air and space power:
1. Strategic Regional Security Dynamics – Examining opportunities and challenges in shaping regional stability and sustaining capabilities amidst a volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous security landscape.
2. Air and Space Power in Technological Advancement – Exploring pioneering research and development in the air and space domains to modernize air assets, advance Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and enhance space-based capabilities for the future of air forces.
3. Exploring the Frontier – Harnessing Artificial Intelligence and Mixed Reality for innovative applications and training in air and space power. Strengthening cyber defense, fortifying cybersecurity measures and advancing information warfare capabilities to maintain strategic dominance.
4. Air and Space Power for Blue Economy Advancement – Leveraging air and space power to support and drive multifaceted initiatives in the promotion and sustainability of the Blue Economy.
5. Partnerships for Collective Strength – Strengthening bilateral and multilateral collaborations among Indian Ocean Rim air forces to enhance collective security and response capabilities. Emphasizing humanitarian assistance and disaster response in maritime crises while bolstering coordinated efforts in countering illicit maritime activities through advanced reconnaissance and surveillance.
On the first day, discussions on Strategic Regional Security Dynamics was moderated by Air Vice Marshal Gihan Senevirathne, while Air and Space Power in Technological Advancement was moderated by Dr. George Cooke and Exploring the Frontier was moderated by Dr. Sanath Panawennage. On the second and final day, sessions on Air and Space Power for Blue Economy Advancement was moderated by Dr. Amit Gupta from the United States and Partnerships for Collective Strength was moderated by Group Captain Paul Carpenter of the Royal Australian Air Force.
The symposium concluded with remarks delivered by Air Vice Marshal Anil Golani (Retd) from India. Following the completion of all sessions, the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Bandu Edirisinghe, presented certificates and mementoes to the moderators, speakers, and peer reviewers in recognition of their valuable contributions to this year’s symposium.
The two-day conference officially concluded this afternoon with the Vote of Thanks delivered by the Secretary General of CAS 2025, Air Vice Marshal Deshapriya Silva, marking the successful completion of the Colombo Air Symposium 2025.
During the inauguration, the event was graced by Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara as the Chief Guest. Additionally, Dr. Brian W. Cole, Ph.D., from the Eisenhower School, National Defence University, Washington, DC, delivered the keynote address. Addressing the audience, Major General Jayasekara emphasized, "The evolving security landscape in the Indian Ocean region demands innovation, collaboration and unwavering commitment. Air and space power will be at the forefront of safeguarding our maritime interests and economic stability, making strategic partnerships and technological advancements more critical than ever."
Dr. Brian W. Cole, in his keynote address, remarked, "The transformation of air and space power is not just about technological evolution; it is about reimagining strategy, enhancing partnerships and ensuring resilience in an increasingly contested and unpredictable world."
Spanning two days, the forum was structured around five key sub-themes, with 12 distinguished speakers presenting their research, each addressing critical aspects of modern air and space power:
1. Strategic Regional Security Dynamics – Examining opportunities and challenges in shaping regional stability and sustaining capabilities amidst a volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous security landscape.
2. Air and Space Power in Technological Advancement – Exploring pioneering research and development in the air and space domains to modernize air assets, advance Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and enhance space-based capabilities for the future of air forces.
3. Exploring the Frontier – Harnessing Artificial Intelligence and Mixed Reality for innovative applications and training in air and space power. Strengthening cyber defense, fortifying cybersecurity measures and advancing information warfare capabilities to maintain strategic dominance.
4. Air and Space Power for Blue Economy Advancement – Leveraging air and space power to support and drive multifaceted initiatives in the promotion and sustainability of the Blue Economy.
5. Partnerships for Collective Strength – Strengthening bilateral and multilateral collaborations among Indian Ocean Rim air forces to enhance collective security and response capabilities. Emphasizing humanitarian assistance and disaster response in maritime crises while bolstering coordinated efforts in countering illicit maritime activities through advanced reconnaissance and surveillance.
On the first day, discussions on Strategic Regional Security Dynamics was moderated by Air Vice Marshal Gihan Senevirathne, while Air and Space Power in Technological Advancement was moderated by Dr. George Cooke and Exploring the Frontier was moderated by Dr. Sanath Panawennage. On the second and final day, sessions on Air and Space Power for Blue Economy Advancement was moderated by Dr. Amit Gupta from the United States and Partnerships for Collective Strength was moderated by Group Captain Paul Carpenter of the Royal Australian Air Force.
The symposium concluded with remarks delivered by Air Vice Marshal Anil Golani (Retd) from India. Following the completion of all sessions, the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Bandu Edirisinghe, presented certificates and mementoes to the moderators, speakers, and peer reviewers in recognition of their valuable contributions to this year’s symposium.
The two-day conference officially concluded this afternoon with the Vote of Thanks delivered by the Secretary General of CAS 2025, Air Vice Marshal Deshapriya Silva, marking the successful completion of the Colombo Air Symposium 2025.
