KUALA LUMPUR: Emerging technologies are reshaping global security and are set to redefine warfare and military power, says Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.
The Defence Minister said collective security in an increasingly complex world depends on nations’ ability to understand, adapt and act together.
"Technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), autonomous systems, quantum and space technologies, hypersonic systems, biotechnology, advanced materials, energy systems and next-generation communications will significantly impact future military operations.
"These technologies are disruptive, shifting military power from traditional platforms to interconnected, autonomous systems.
"Most importantly, their convergence is creating entirely new paradigms and capabilities for warfare," he said at the opening of the Putrajaya Forum, held during the Defence Services Asia and National Security Asia 2026 exhibitions on Tuesday (April 21).
The event was launched by the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Shah, who also delivered a keynote address.
Khaled said recent conflicts show warfare is increasingly driven by technological capability and integration, forcing a reassessment of how defence power is built.
He said that relying solely on sophisticated, costly platforms is no longer enough in high-intensity conflicts, highlighting the growing importance of "attritable mass" — deploying large numbers of low-cost, expendable systems, such as mass-produced drones.
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"In this approach, hardware becomes secondary to the digital backbone, computing infrastructure, data and AI," he added.
He also said information dominance will be crucial in modern warfare.
"The future battlefield is characterised by connectivity, lethality and precision. We must optimise emerging technologies and integrated command systems to collect, process and act on data faster than our adversaries," he said.
He warned that the defence sector is at a critical turning point, with emerging technologies reshaping the foundations of military power.
"This is what Asean must understand and act upon. Our region is vital to global stability, but we are increasingly exposed to this new defence landscape," he said.
He said the region must go beyond investment, focusing on recalibration and transformation, balancing technological advancement with ethics and responsibility.
Ultimately, he said, the shared goal remains peace, stability and prosperity.
He added that the forum’s theme — Asean Security at the Edge of Emerging Technologies — was chosen to encourage meaningful discourse, deepen understanding and lay the groundwork for concrete action.
