Hyderabad : In a rapidly changing global security environment where wars are increasingly influenced by satellites, cyber systems, artificial intelligence and electronic warfare, Hyderabad is set to host a landmark strategic dialogue on the future of warfare and national security.
Against the backdrop of escalating geopolitical tensions involving major global powers, including the United States, Iran and Israel, *Symposium* — Hyderabad’s emerging platform for ideas, leadership and strategic conversations — will host its third flagship session titled “The Day the Sky Goes Dark: Warfare in the Age of Satellite Dependence” at T-Hub, Raidurgam, Hyderabad on 29th May, Friday.
The high-profile event is expected to attract significant attention from India’s defence, aerospace, technology and policy ecosystems as it brings together some of the country’s foremost strategic thinkers and defence leaders to examine how future wars may increasingly be fought in space and cyberspace.
As nations become critically dependent on satellites for communication, navigation, surveillance, intelligence gathering, financial systems and military operations, experts believe that disabling or disrupting space assets could become one of the first moves in future conflicts. The symposium will explore pressing questions around satellite vulnerability, cyber-attacks, anti-satellite weapons, AI-driven warfare and the growing militarisation of space.
The panel discussion will be moderated by Lt Gen PJS Pannu PVSM AVSM VSM (Retd), former Deputy Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (Operations), who played a key role in establishing India’s Defence Space Agency, Defence Cyber Agency and Armed Forces Special Operations Division.
The distinguished panel includes Dr A.S. Kiran Kumar, former Chairman, ISRO; Dr G. Satheesh Reddy, former Chairman, DRDO and former Scientific Adviser to Raksha Mantri; Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari PVSM AVSM VM ADC (Retd), former Chief of the Air Staff, Indian Air Force; Dr Subba Rao Pavuluri, Chairman & Managing Director of Ananth Technologies and Ronak Kumar Samantray – CEO and the Founder of TakeMe2Space
Adding a unique youth perspective to the event will be **Iniya Pragati Martian**, Commercial Astronaut Candidate and India’s youngest Analogue Astronaut, who will participate as Special Guest and Distinguished Young Speaker.
The entry to the Symposium is only through invitation. More than 100 invited guests from the defence, aerospace, startup, academic, research and policy communities are expected to attend the event.
Founded by Mr Girish Mallapani and co-founded by Sri Jayesh Ranjan, IAS, *Symposium* is envisioned as a recurring intellectual platform that brings together leaders from government, industry, academia and public life for meaningful cross-domain dialogue on issues shaping India’s future.
“Some of the most important ideas emerge when leaders from different disciplines come together in genuine conversation. This session is designed to spark timely and future-focused discussions on one of the defining strategic challenges of our times — the growing dependence on space technologies in both civilian life and warfare,” the organisers said.