At the NDTV Defence Summit 2026, retired Lieutenant General Raj Shukla addressed the evolving nature of modern combat, specifically focusing on the integration of artificial intelligence and drone technology. Shukla described the current technological shift as a "once in three centuries" event, suggesting that the implications for national security are profound.

According to Shukla, the rapid advancement of AI-enabled autonomous systems is not merely an incremental upgrade to existing military capabilities but a fundamental change in how wars will be fought in the future. He indicated that this transition is a more significant strategic concern for India than traditional regional challenges, such as the ongoing border tensions with China. The commander emphasized that the military must adapt its doctrine and infrastructure to account for these autonomous threats, which are changing the speed and scale of potential conflicts. While the report focuses on the strategic necessity of adopting these technologies, it does not detail specific budgetary allocations or the timeline for integrating these systems into India's current defense framework. The discussion highlights a growing consensus among defense experts that the future of warfare will be defined by software and robotics as much as by traditional hardware.