Warns that any ocean disruption could significantly impact global supply chains and energy prices
Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Naveed Ashraf, as the chief guest, addresses an international conference, emphasizing on collaboration between industry, academia and end users to promote innovation, indigenization and self-reliance. Photo:X
Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf said on Thursday that the future of warfare is being shaped in the Indian Ocean because of its vast contribution to global trade, warning that any disruption could have a significant impact on global supply chains and energy prices.
According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the naval chief made the remarks after a two-day international conference titled ‘Emerging Technologies and Future Warfare’, organized by the Maritime Center of Excellence (MCE) in Karachi, in which he participated as the chief guest.
The conference aimed to bring together maritime experts, academics and representatives of the defense industry to discuss evolving geostrategic trends and the impact of technology on modern warfare.
A two-day international conference on emerging technologies and future warfare, organized by the Center of Maritime Excellence, culminated in Karachi, bringing together maritime experts, academics and representatives of the defense industry at a single platform. 1/2 pic.twitter.com/NkU4A7kXm7
– DGPR (Navy) (@dgprPaknavy) April 23, 2026
Addressing the participants, Admiral Ashraf highlighted the importance of close collaboration between industry, end users and academia to drive innovation, adaptability and operational relevance.
“Such collaboration would promote indigenization and self-reliance, thereby helping to build a cost-effective and globally competitive defense ecosystem for Pakistan with export potential,” he said.
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Highlighting the strategic importance of the Indian Ocean, he reiterated that the region was at the heart of global trade flows and warned that any disruption could have far-reaching consequences for the economies linked to it.
The conference also highlighted the increasingly blurred boundaries between civil and military applications of advanced technologies, noting that this trend presents both opportunities and challenges for Pakistan’s defense ecosystem. Participants discussed how rapid technological advances were transforming warfare by reshaping operational concepts, force structures and outcomes.
The event was attended by senior military officials, 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 technological transformations and exploit 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 sailboats and a Pakistan Maritime Security Agency ship.
A day later, the Navy conducted a comprehensive exercise in the northern Arabian Sea, testing surface-to-air missiles, stray 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 aircraft carrier INS Vikrant from taking any maritime action in the North Arabian Sea through a coordinated strategy.
“The Pakistan Navy not only restricted the Indian Navy to its own waters, but also ensured security of maritime trade routes and coastal regions of Pakistan,” officials had said. The Express PK Press Club.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also praised Pakistan Navy for its preparedness and professionalism, saying the naval forces were fully prepared to launch an operation similar to the historic Operation Dwarka. However, he said the Indian Navy avoided confrontation after witnessing befitting response from Pakistani ground and air forces.
