Future warfare driven by AI, not battleships, former Navy chief Marsetio warns
Counting conventional assets like warships, fighter jets and troop numbers is no longer an accurate metric of military strength as the ultimate deciding factor in modern geopolitical standoffs is digital sophistication.
Former Indonesian Navy Chief of Staff Adm. Marsetio has cautioned that the future of warfare is not shaped by conventional assets like warships and fighter jets, but rather by digital sophistication and artificial intelligence (AI). Speaking at the Cyber Digital Services, Defence & Security Asia (CyberDSA) conference in Kuala Lumpur, Marsetio urged Indonesian leaders to rapidly transform national defense doctrines to focus on AI and cyber warfare capabilities.
Marsetio argued that in modern geopolitical conflicts, the key factor determining military strength is not the number of conventional assets, but rather the nation's digital capabilities. He emphasized that his concerns align with recent policy statements from President Prabowo Subianto during the Indonesian Military’s 81st anniversary, which highlighted the need for officers to understand technology, AI, and future warfare. However, these remarks have received limited media attention, according to Marsetio.
The retired admiral stressed that traditional metrics of military strength, such as counting warships, fighter jets, and troop numbers, are no longer valid indicators of a nation's military prowess in the digital age. Instead, the ultimate deciding factor is digital sophistication, which includes AI and cyber warfare capabilities. Marsetio called on Indonesian decision-makers to promptly revise their defense strategies to keep pace with the evolving nature of modern conflict.
Written by urgent.news from The Jakarta Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
