AI, Quantum Tech to Shape India’s Security Future: Jitendra Singh

• Dr. Jitendra Singh said AI, quantum technology, biotechnology and space capabilities will redefine national security.
• He called for deeper integration of civilian innovation with military requirements.
• The Minister highlighted India’s rise from a defence importer to an emerging defence exporter.
• He stressed public-private collaboration to strengthen strategic technologies and self-reliance.

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 25th June: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh on Thursday said technology-driven warfare is fundamentally transforming national security, with Artificial Intelligence (AI), quantum technologies, biotechnology and space capabilities set to define the future security architecture.

Delivering a special address at the National Defence College (NDC) on the theme “Future Trajectory of Science & Technology and its Impact on National Security”, the Minister said India must stay ahead of the technology curve to effectively address emerging security challenges and safeguard its strategic interests.

He said modern warfare is increasingly being shaped by technological superiority rather than conventional military strength, with advanced capabilities in space, surveillance, communications, precision systems and strategic decision-making playing a decisive role in recent conflicts.

Calling for stronger integration between civilian innovation and defence requirements, Dr. Singh said collaboration among government, industry, academia, startups and research institutions would be essential to convert scientific breakthroughs into deployable strategic capabilities.

Highlighting India’s progress in defence manufacturing, the Minister said the country has steadily transformed from a defence importer into an emerging defence exporter. He noted that defence production has increased by nearly 174 per cent since 2014 to around ₹1.54 lakh crore, while defence exports have grown nearly 34-fold to over ₹23,000 crore.

Dr. Singh said more than 16,000 MSMEs and hundreds of startups are now contributing to India’s expanding defence ecosystem, strengthening indigenous innovation and supporting the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

Identifying AI, quantum technologies, biotechnology and advanced space systems as the key drivers of next-generation warfare, he said these technologies would enable autonomous military platforms, predictive threat analysis, quantum-secure communications and enhanced biosecurity preparedness.

The Minister also highlighted the National Quantum Mission as a major step towards strengthening India’s capabilities in secure communications and advanced computing.

Emphasising long-term preparedness, Dr. Singh said India’s future security strategy should focus on predictive threat management, cyber resilience and self-reliance in critical technologies and supply chains.

The address concluded with an interactive discussion with senior military officers and course participants on innovation-led security strategies and emerging technological challenges in the evolving global security landscape.