В Южной Африке пройдет симпозиум по развитию устойчивой авиационной и космической мощи

Setting the defence conferencing scene for September is the third SA National Defence Force (SANDF) Air and Space Power Symposium (ASPS), which will be taking place ahead of the Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) Conference. The ASPS is set down for next Tuesday (15 September) a day before an expected 300 plus delegates take their seats for the AAD Conference, which runs from 16-18 September. In the control room for ASPS is SA Air Force (SAAF) Deputy Chief, Major General Lancelot Mathebula, tasked by SANDF Chief General Rudzani Maphwanya, as Space Command commander since its inception in September two years ago. The ASPS theme “inclusive and sustainable air and space power” aptly reflects the strategic direction SA Air Force (SAAF) Chief, Lieutenant General Carl Moatshe, is aiming at for his service. Speaking soon after taking over from Wiseman Mbambo in March he emphasised the importance of effective air and space power, capability development and collaboration with the defence industry to ensure South Africa’s military aviators remain properly prepared to respond to evolving operational threats. A full day of panel discussions involving industry experts, academics, senior military officers and representatives from government departments is on the cards. Discussions are expected to provide insights into the role of technology in modern warfare and the development of future operational capabilities ranging from space operations, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), artificial intelligence (AI), cyber warfare, digital technologies and the legal frameworks governing these domains. Panel discussions will address critical issues with, from a military space command perspective, experts examining emerging challenges and solutions in developing sustainable air and space power capabilities for modern warfare. Space law experts will explore the impact of the militarisation of space from a legal perspective, while industry experts will discuss the role of industry in meeting space capabilities, personnel, systems and processes. Academic experts in the space sector will engage the skills and training programmes needed to support what Ad Astra staffer Corporal Solomzi Ndlovu has as “a sustainable air and space power ecosystem”. Since inception, the ASPS has attracted local and international interest from the military aviation and space sectors. Its continued existence provides a platform for sustained engagement and collaboration on current and future space operations, while empowering members and stakeholders to take initiative and develop solutions to operational challenges at various levels, the SAAF said. ASPS 2026 will extend beyond discussions and dialogue. In collaboration with the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) and the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) as strategic partners, the symposium and Space Command will be part of a South African space pavilion at AAD. The exhibition space will see the Department of Defence (DoD) and space industry representatives showcasing capabilities, while creating a platform for networking, collaboration and developing working relationships.