Elon Musk, the visionary entrepreneur and an ally of former U.S. President Donald Trump, has recently emphasized the necessity of transitioning from traditional fighter jets to drones. Speaking at a global defense summit, Musk highlighted that drones represent the future of aerial warfare due to their cost efficiency, operational adaptability, and elimination of human risk in combat scenarios. According to Musk, the era of manned fighter jets may soon become obsolete as nations increasingly adopt unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) powered by artificial intelligence.
This paradigm shift has significant global implications, including for Pakistan, which is modernizing its military assets. Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has been actively incorporating drone technology alongside its traditional aircraft, such as the Chinese JF-17 and J-10C jets. The potential deployment of drones at a larger scale could enhance the country’s surveillance, reconnaissance, and combat capabilities, offering a competitive edge in strategic military operations. As nations like the U.S. and China race to advance AI-driven combat systems, Musk’s advocacy underscores a broader trend reshaping global defense strategies