DAY ONE – 18 SEPTEMBER
FUTURE WARFARE
Day One – 18 September:
Future Warfare
Day Two - 19 September:
South African Defence Industry Showcase
Day Two - 19 September:
South African Defence Industry Showcase
Click HereDay Three - 20 September:
Maritime Security
Day Three - 20 September:
Maritime Security
Click Here09:00 – 09:45
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Registration, refreshments and exhibition visit
09:45 – 10:00
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Welcome and introduction from the Chair
Hamilton Wende, War Correspondent, Author, Journalist and Professional Speaker
10:00 – 10:20
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Opening address from the AAD Lead Partner
Evelyn Motsatsing, Group Executive: Business Enablement, Armscor
10:20 – 10:50
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Drones as a threat to national security – the proliferation and misuse of unmanned vehicles
Drones and AI are poised to be major game-changers in future warfare, impacting it in several ways. While drones offer increased efficiency, several ethical and other concerns emerge from the ‘risk transfer’ drone warfare poses, that could destabilise regions and increase the likelihood of conflict.
Critics argue that the ease of drone strikes can lead to a lower threshold for using them, potentially increasing civilian casualties compared to wars with more “boots on the ground.” This creates new risks for civilians and blurs the lines of combat. Drone strikes can create a constant sense of fear and insecurity in targeted populations, potentially fuelling radicalisation and recruitment by extremist groups. Hence, while there are clear military advantages of using AI and drones in warfare, these should be weighed up against the legal, political and social consequences that the potential risk transfer poses, which could have further destabilising effects on the world.
Lindy Heinecken, Vice-Dean Research, Faculty of Arts & Social Science, University of Stellenbosch
10:50 – 11:20
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The use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) in future Joint All Domain Operations (JADO)
Ghaazim Rylands, CEO, Milkor Integrated Systems
11:20 – 11:50
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The emergence of AI and its use in military applications
Dr Robin Blake, Part-time Lecturer, Department of Political Sciences, University of Pretoria
11:50 – 13:20
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Lunch, networking and exhibition visit
13:20 – 14:10
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Panel: How recent conflicts have shaped the future of technology in warfare – how can they be applied to African peace and security?
Chair: Ricardo Teixeira, Senior Journalist, ProtectionWeb
Panelists:
Advocate Vasu Gounden, Founder and Executive Director, Accord
MC de Beer, CEO, Milkor KSA
Dr Michelle Small, Independent Expert of the Working Group on the Use of Mercenaries as a Means of Violating Human Rights and Impeding the Exercise of the Right of Peoples to Self-Determination, United Nations Special Procedures
Dr Sonja Theron, Lecturer, Department of Political Sciences, University of Pretoria
14:10 – 14:40
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The role of cyber warfare in modern conflicts – cyber threats, offensive capabilities and strategies for cyber defence
Offensive cyber capabilities as a component of national power projection.
Strategic and systemic cyber threats.
Cyber warfare and multi-domain operations.
Capability development and challenges.
Noëlle Van der Waag-Cowling, Strategy and Innovation Officer, Cybersecurity Institute
14:40 – 15:10
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African resurgence: The growing threat of ISIS and Al-Qaeda and the expansion of asymmetric warfare in Africa
Africa faces numerous security threats, including ongoing coups that destabilise the region, poverty, corruption, economic issues and ethnic conflicts. Among these threats, the growing strength of Salafi-jihadist terror groups is particularly concerning. Both ISIS and Al Qaeda are competing for leadership and influence in Africa, which has led to an increase in their capabilities. Their affiliates operate across the Sahel, Nigeria, Somalia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mozambique and Northern Africa, carrying out hundreds of terrorist attacks each year. This presentation will explore the factors driving the rise of ISIS and Al Qaeda, examine their regional affiliates and analyse their tactics, weapon types and targets. Additionally, it will discuss the policy implications and recommend strategies for effective counterterrorism.
Pearl Matibe, Global Terrorism Data Analyst, Transnational Crime and Corruption Center (TraCCC) & Dr Mahmut Cengiz, Associate Professor, Transnational Crime and Corruption Center (TraCCC), Schar School of Policy and Government, George Mason University
15:10 – 15:30
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Afternoon refreshments, networking and exhibition visit
15:30 – 16:00
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Spaceborne radar: How commercial satellites are changing the battlespace and the balance of power
Since its invention in 1951 the Synthetic Aperture Radar, with its ability to sense in all weather, day and night and through clouds and smoke, held the promise to become a sensor of choice for military missions. The technology remained largely in the hands of governments in first-world countries and the super powers of the world, particularly in the domain of spaceborne radar, due to the cost of these satellites. However, the so-called ‘new space’ era with the lowering of launch and high-tech electronics costs has completely changed this landscape and brought the technology within the reach of commercial ventures. A commercial space race to create SAR constellations has been unfolding since 2015, which has had a significant impact in the course of the Ukraine / Russia conflict, making it clear that even super powers now have to consider defence against commercial SAR systems from space. This session will unpack this and also consider the question: “At this juncture in time, how could Africa respond and take control of our own destiny lest this becomes yet another ‘digital divide’?”
Willie Nel, Chief Engineer: Radar & Technology; Innovation Manager: Radar, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)
16:00 – 16:30
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Small UAS operations in contested environments
Lessons from the front lines
- Proliferation and reliance on small UAS
- Operations without GPS
- Operations with contested communications
Autonomy, innovation and decentralisation
- Complex tasks – operator vs aircraft
- Open architecture – collaboration vs competition
- Data – decentralised collection and centralised consumption
Ben Shirley, Solutions Engineer, Skydio
16:30 – 17:00
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The role of a surveillance radar in a Ground-Based Air Defence System (GBADS) network of integrated sensors
This presentation explores the integration of the surveillance radar within a GBADS network, emphasising the critical aspects of sensor integration, including time synchronisation, data fusion, coordinate system alignment and command and control interoperability.
The discussion will focus on the technical challenges and solutions for achieving coherent integration between multiple radar sensors, including passive radar and other types of sensors such as visual and infrared. Additionally, the role of advanced technologies like the White Rabbit protocol for precise time synchronisation and AI for enhanced data fusion will be highlighted. By demonstrating the strategic importance of a well-integrated sensor network, this presentation aims to showcase the value and impact of achieving a coherent, unified defence system that leverages the strengths of diverse sensor technologies.
The end goal is to underscore the potential for improved situational awareness, enhanced threat detection and robust defence capabilities through effective integration and the application of cutting-edge technologies.
Jaco Botha, Program Manager, Radar Business Unit, Hensoldt
17:00 – 17:30
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The use of space-based assets in military operations – satellite communication, navigation, and potential vulnerabilities
Zane Cleophas, CEO, Areta Holdings
17:30 – 17:35
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Closing remarks from the Chair
17:35
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End of Conference Day One
Day One – 18 September:
Future Warfare
Day Two - 19 September:
South African Defence Industry Showcase
Day Two - 19 September:
South African Defence Industry Showcase
Click HereDay Three - 20 September:
Maritime Security
Day Three - 20 September:
Maritime Security
Click Here
Join the AAD 2024 Conference to gain insights from experts, connect with global professionals, and explore the latest in future warfare, maritime security, and South Africa’s defence industry.
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