CASS Highlights Need for Indigenous Aerospace Technology to Strengthen Pakistan’s Strategic Capabilities
Islamabad, The Gulf Observer: The Centre for Aerospace & Security Studies (CASS), Islamabad, organised an online Catalyst Conversation titled “Indigenisation of Aerospace Technology” on August 4, bringing together experts to discuss the strategic, technological and industrial imperatives for developing Pakistan’s indigenous aerospace capabilities amid tightening global technology controls and evolving supply chains.
The discussion examined the growing importance of technological self-reliance in critical sectors and underscored the need for a resilient national aerospace ecosystem. As an independent think tank, CASS regularly convenes such forums to encourage informed dialogue on issues of national and international significance.
Moderating the session, Director CASS Air Vice Marshal Nasser Wyne (Retd.) described the indigenisation of aerospace technology as a long-term national priority. He stressed the importance of sustained investment in research and development (R&D), stronger collaboration among government, academia and industry, and institutional continuity to establish a robust aerospace ecosystem. He noted that technological self-reliance requires consistent policy support, investment in human capital and a realistic roadmap aligned with Pakistan’s national objectives.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr Rehan Mahmood, Director of the Institute of Space Technology (IST) and Assistant Professor of Satellite Technology and Communication Engineering, said Pakistan possesses the talent, ambition and strategic necessity to advance indigenous aerospace capabilities. He observed that the country’s primary challenge is not a lack of national resolve but the need to strengthen sustained R&D, develop qualified suppliers, expand testing infrastructure and establish specialised product companies.
Dr Mahmood emphasised that technology matures through strong institutions rather than isolated projects and advocated a policy of controlled indigenisation that balances capability development with operational readiness. He said every procurement, partnership and technology transfer should contribute to measurable national learning, enabling Pakistan to repair, test, modify, document and eventually export aerospace subsystems.
He also proposed developing a broad network of specialised subsystem suppliers supported by a phased localisation strategy focusing on technologies with faster learning cycles while maintaining a long-term roadmap for more advanced aerospace capabilities.
In his concluding remarks, President CASS Air Marshal Javaid Ahmed (Retd.) said indigenous aerospace capability is vital for enhancing Pakistan’s technological resilience and strategic autonomy. He emphasised that sustained institutional commitment, coherent industrial policy and close collaboration between the public and private sectors are essential for building a competitive national aerospace ecosystem capable of meeting future defence and civilian requirements.
The discussion concluded with a consensus that strengthening indigenous aerospace technology through sustained investment, institutional development and public-private collaboration will be critical to Pakistan’s long-term technological and strategic advancement.
