AI in defence: The exponential impact
AIpowered systems are used for reconnaissance, surveillance, logistics, and military missions, performing complex tasks and reducing human risk
The transformational impact of artificial intelligence (AI) in defence is no longer debatable – it’s inevitable. The critical question is how to move beyond theoretical possibilities to achieve exponential gains in military capability and readiness.
AI’s role in modern warfare extends far beyond the traditional concepts of speed and efficiency. At its core, AI is revolutionising how military forces operate, enabling them to make faster, more accurate decisions, and better anticipate and respond to threats. The strategic value of AI is in its ability to turn data into actionable insights, enhancing decision-making speed, precision, and ultimately, military success.
The economic impact of AI is clear. In the next five years, AI is expected to contribute a staggering $15tn to the global economy1, with defence and aerospace sectors leading the way in its adoption. In defence alone, AI’s contribution is expected to grow from $25.43bn in 2024 to $65.43bn by 2034, solidifying its central role in the future of military capabilities.
Yet, AI in defence is not just about adoption — it’s about strategic integration. Unlike consumer-oriented AI applications, defence AI must meet exceptionally high standards of reliability, transparency, and cyber-resilience.
The UAE’s approach to AI integration in defence offers valuable insights. Rather than pursuing AI for its own sake, the focus has been on building comprehensive capabilities that enhance both operational effectiveness and technological capability.
The recent developments in AI-powered decision support systems between the UAE and France demonstrate how targeted investment in AI can contribute to securing and building local expertise.
Key trends reshaping AI in defence
Three key trends are reshaping the defence AI landscape. First, the sophistication of AI in command-and-control (C2) systems is enabling faster, more informed decision-making in critical situations.
Gone are the days when military leaders had to sift through overwhelming amounts of data manually. With AI, real-time data analysis and scenario simulation provide military leaders with actionable insights, reducing the time between decision and action — a critical advantage in modern warfare.
Second, AI is redefining operational readiness by enhancing efficiency and agility in preparation for conflict. With AI-driven predictive maintenance and optimised decision-making, armed forces can ensure they are always mission-ready, minimising downtime and resource waste. This capability allows military forces to proactively address maintenance needs and be prepared for any operational requirement.
Third, AI-powered autonomous systems are creating new possibilities for risk reduction and operational efficiency. AI is already enhancing the capabilities of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that can conduct complex missions, including reconnaissance, surveillance, and logistics, and reconfigure remotely. These systems can navigate difficult terrains, provide real-time intelligence, and carry out high-risk missions while keeping personnel out of harm’s way.
Quantum computing’s role in enhancing encryption and operational precision further strengthens these systems.
Furthermore, AI enables ‘capability amplification’ — allowing armed forces to achieve more with the same equipment. This is particularly crucial in an era of high-intensity conflicts, rising threats and constrained budgets, where efficiency and adaptability are paramount. AI-driven command centres, for instance, are already enhancing the agility and effectiveness of military coalitions worldwide.
The need for hybrid AI in defence
The integration of AI in defence presents very unique challenges. AI used for sovereign tasks, particularly in defence, is very different from data-intensive models mainly used in consumer AI. This is why we have developed our own hybrid AI, which bridges two approaches: a machine learning method with statistical processing of more or less vast amounts of data, and a rule-based method also referred to as symbolic AI, which operates on pre-defined rules and logic.
This helps ensure a trusted AI which is transparent and not a black box.
At Thales, through our cortAIx accelerator, which brings together 600 engineers and research experts, we are developing an AI which is hybrid, explainable, ‘cyber’ secured and frugal. Unlike consumer-oriented AI, cortAIx integrates AI into mission-critical systems where security, resilience, and compliance with strict regulatory standards are non-negotiable.
Our approach relies on deep technological expertise across five critical domains: air, land, sea, space, and cyber.
In these domains, we must be able to optimise AI solutions for constrained environments and directly embed them into our systems, such as on fighter jets, where energy, computational power, and connectivity are very limited. It also requires strong cybersecurity expertise to guarantee data security and sovereignty. We can use sovereign algorithms but also train them locally with the sensitive data of the countries within which we operate.
The focus on responsible AI
Today, autonomous systems powered by AI are changing the way defence operations are conducted. They are used for reconnaissance, surveillance, logistics, and military missions, performing complex tasks and reducing human risk. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are a prime example of how AI is enhancing operational efficiency. They can navigate challenging terrains, identify targets with precision, and complete missions that would otherwise be high-risk for military personnel.
Countries in the Middle East, such as the UAE, for example, have been at the forefront of employing AI-enhanced UAVs alongside manned counterparts3 for application in critical areas such as maritime security, where unmanned systems provide continuous, real-time intelligence gathering, even in remote or hazardous environments.
While AI can significantly reduce human error, it is crucial to ensure that these systems are held accountable and aligned with ethical principles. It is important to balance AI’s capabilities with human oversight, ensuring that military leaders remain in complete control of critical decisions while leveraging AI to improve outcomes.
To ensure the effective integration of AI into defence, nations must invest not only in technology but also in developing the expertise to manage and maintain these advanced systems. The UAE’s ongoing commitment to developing a workforce skilled in both AI and quantum technologies is a key differentiator that will ensure the country remains at the forefront of the defence technology revolution.
The path forward requires a comprehensive approach to AI integration – one that combines technological innovation with strategic vision. Success will depend on adopting new technologies and developing the expertise and infrastructure needed to maintain sovereign control over critical systems.
The ability to balance innovation with security, automation with human judgment, and responsibility with advancement will define the future of defence.
The writer is the president and CEO, Thales International.
