Dr Peter Layton
Visiting Fellow, Griffith Asia Institute | Associate Fellow, RUSI
Defence Strategist, Author & Former Royal Australian Air Force Officer
A global platform for defence knowledge, connections and partnerships.
Intelligent & Autonomous Defence Systems focuses on a global transformation reshaping how defence forces plan, operate and develop future capabilities. While priorities differ across countries and regions, the direction is clear: greater focus on intelligent, connected and autonomous systems.
Through many years of organising defence conferences, we have seen this shift accelerate significantly in recent times. The pace of development is rapid, with new technologies, capabilities and emerging companies continuously reshaping the defence landscape. As this area continues to expand and evolve, the need for a dedicated global platform has become increasingly clear, bringing together the people, knowledge and organisations driving that transformation.
Visiting Fellow, Griffith Asia Institute | Associate Fellow, RUSI
Defence Strategist, Author & Former Royal Australian Air Force Officer
PhD Candidate, Department of War Studies, King's College London
Defence Analyst & Author on Drone Warfare, Autonomous Systems & Emerging Security Threats
Former Director General (Inspection & Safety), Indian Air Force
Fighter Pilot, Defence Strategist & Author
Former Chief of the Army Staff, Indian Army
Military Leader, Defence Strategist & Author
Special Staff to the Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Air Force
Indonesian Air Force Headquarters
Full Professor, Sejong University | Lt. Colonel (Ret.), Republic of Korea Army
Former Department Chair, Korea Military Academy | Defence AI, Robotics & Autonomous Systems Expert
Former Director General, Mechanised Forces | Former Strike Corps Commander, Indian Army
Defence Strategist, Author & Military Technology Expert
Former Rear Admiral, United States Navy | Principal, Hayden Business Strategies
Maritime Security, Defence Strategy & Emerging Technology Expert
Former General Officer Commanding, Infantry Division, Indian Army
Former Chief Instructor, Army War College | Defence Technology & Strategic Planning Expert
Professor of Practice, SIIC, IIT Kanpur | Executive Advisor, FIRST, IIT Kanpur
Aerospace, Defence Innovation & Emerging Technology Expert
Former UK Military Representative to NATO & the European Union
Former Commander Home Command & Standing Joint Commander (UK), British Army
Modern conflicts have made one reality clear: defence advantage is no longer determined by the size, cost, or weight of traditional hardware alone.
Across today’s operating environments, smaller systems are creating larger effects, unmanned platforms are changing the pace of response, and intelligence-led operations are challenging the old belief that military power is defined only by heavy equipment and expensive platforms.
Today, victory belongs to the forces that sense faster, decide faster, adapt faster, and weaponize data with greater intelligence.
Intelligent and autonomous systems are no longer optional additions to defence capability. They are becoming central to how nations protect borders, secure domains, respond to threats, and maintain operational advantage across land, air, sea, cyber, and space.
The Intelligent & Autonomous Defence Systems Summit brings this global shift into focus, launching across 10 countries in 2027 to connect defence forces, government entities, technology providers, system integrators, and industry leaders shaping the next generation of military capability.
A growing number of countries are actively deploying or testing unmanned and autonomous systems.
Decision-making cycles are being significantly compressed through AI-enabled systems.
Cyber and electronic warfare are now core operational domains across modern defence forces.
Sensor-to-shooter integration is enabling faster detection, decision, and response.
Global investment in military AI is accelerating rapidly, with strong double-digit growth projections.
Modern operations are increasingly driven by real-time data rather than traditional command timelines.
Recent conflicts have demonstrated how -low-cost drone systems can challenge high-value defence assets.
Space-based capabilities are becoming central to communication, navigation, and surveillance.
Facilitating structured interactions that lead to partnerships, joint development and long-term cooperation across defence ecosystems.
Connecting defence forces with advanced technologies to accelerate the adoption of intelligent, autonomous and integrated systems.
Bringing together defence leadership, industry and experts in a focused environment designed for real engagement and practical outcomes.
Providing direct access to global expertise, operational insights and emerging technologies shaping modern defence.
Ensuring discussions around governance, accountability and the responsible deployment of autonomous and AI-driven defence technologies.
A closed-door summit built around relevance, seniority and outcome-driven discussions rather than large-scale participation.
Intelligent and Autonomous Defense Systems Summit has emerged through our direct engagement with defence leadership from our partners and clients from Air Forces, navies, and armies from around the globe.
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