Colombo Air Symposium takes up challenges faced by small air forces
The Colombo Air Symposium, has achieved recognition as one of the most sought after discourses in Asia, Air Force Commander, Sumangala Dias said, in his keynote address at the 5th edition of the symposium held on Thursday and Friday.
State Minister of Defence Ruwan Wijewardene was the chief guest at this international symposium that was attended by local and foreign delegates including Defence Ministry secretary General Shantha Kottegoda (Retired), Air Force Marshal Roshan Goonetileke, Chief of Defence Staff, Army and Navy commanders, Acting Inspector General of Police, past commanders of the SLAF, senior officers of the tri services, foreign diplomats and scholars.
Addressing the symposium titled, ‘A Small Air Force: Way Forward in Achieving Future Vision’, the Air Force Commander stressed how synergetic incorporation of key concepts such as technological advancements, re-structuring and multilateral corporation among air forces with limited resources and capabilities was important to face the challenges of the future.
The keynote speech was delivered by Dr. David Brewster, a Senior Fellow of the National Security College in the Australian National University. He specializes in Indian Ocean Security and Indo Pacific issues.
This year's symposium explored the future of small air forces in the face of ever dynamic global realities which require a wider understanding and stronger collaboration. Some of the sessions included, Doctrine Beyond Dogma, Conceptual Transition, Paradigm Shift of Air Power and Exploring Core Competencies