Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin stated that emerging technologies like AI, autonomous systems, and quantum computing are fundamentally reshaping global security and redefining warfare. Speaking at the Putrajaya Forum during the Defence Services Asia and National Security Asia 2026 exhibitions on Tuesday, April 21, he emphasized that collective security now hinges on nations’ understanding and adaptation to these disruptive forces. Khaled highlighted a shift from traditional platforms to interconnected, autonomous systems, stressing that hardware is becoming secondary to digital infrastructure, computing power, and AI. He also noted the growing importance of "attritable mass" — deploying numerous low-cost, expendable systems like drones — and the critical need for information dominance and faster data processing for future military operations, urging ASEAN to recalibrate and transform its approach to defense.