The Singapore Defence Technology Summit (Tech Summit) is a gathering of key global thought leaders from government, industry, start-ups, academia, and think tanks, to network, confer, and collaborate in the development of defence and security capabilities.

Tech Summit 2027 will explore how technologies drive future warfighting concepts; agility, innovation, and resilience in defence; and the translation of artificial intelligence and autonomy into operational advantage, through dialogue and practical insights.

Programme Highlights

Tuesday, 23 March 2027

[1900]

Opening Dinner & Welcome Address by Minister for Defence Chan Chun Sing (by invitation only)

Wednesday, 24 March 2027

[0900]

Keynote Address by Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong
[1030]

Government Leader Remarks
[1045]

Plenary 1

Outmatch: The Future of Warfare

Asymmetric warfare and autonomous vessels neutralise warships, drone swarms disrupt supply chains, and robots breach trenches. Capabilities once held by a few — precision strike, pervasive sensing and dual-use technologies — are now in the hands of many, shifting the balance of power. This plenary will examine the trends and concepts reshaping modern warfare, and the critical implications for defence technology development in an era of asymmetry.
[1150]

Tech Talk
[1345]

Fireside Chat
[1415]

Plenary 2

Outpace: Agility in the Battlefield

A drone designed overnight. A frontline insight turned into a weapon in days. Operational concepts and innovation cycles now evolve faster than traditional defence acquisition can respond, challenging long-held assumptions. This plenary will discuss how the defence ecosystem can compress the loop from concept to capability, and how it must transform to outpace agility.
[1545]

Tech Talk
[1610]

Government Leader Remarks
[1700]

Networking Drinks

Thursday, 25 March 2027

[0900]

Tech Leader Remarks
[0915]

Plenary 3

Outsmart: Operational Advantage through AI and Autonomy

Artificial Intelligence and autonomy have arrived on the battlefield, with drone swarms coordinating strikes and robots advancing where soldiers cannot. The strategic advantage now belongs to those who can harness these capabilities effectively. This plenary will dive into the pace of innovation in this domain and what it takes to outsmart through cutting-edge AI and autonomy.
[1035]

Fireside Chat
[1105]

Tech Talk
[1130]

Plenary 4

Outlast: Resilience in Defence Ecosystems

Interceptor stockpiles consumed in days. Artillery reserves exhausted in weeks. Modern conflict has exposed a harsh reality: the ability to fight hinges on the ability to sustain. This plenary explores the imperative for resilience, rethinking supply chains and stockpiling strategies to outlast and prevail.

Hear from past participants

“I extend my gratitude and thanks for lending me this opportunity to exchange views. Joint collaboration is always better than competition. The threat landscape necessitates not only innovation in how you develop, but also in how you partner with [others].”

Mr Waleid Al Mesmari President, Space and Cyber Technologies,
EDGE Group (UAE)

“[The summit is] really very vibrant because I‘ve met a lot of people who are in charge of different functionalities from different countries. It’s necessary to have events like this – we need to know each other and recalibrate our partnerships.”

Mr Oliver Burkhard Chief Executive Officer,
thyssenkrupp Marine Systems GmbH (Germany)

“I think it's wonderful that DSTA was able to bring everyone together, and really facilitate a very rich discussion around what it means to grow defence technology capabilities.”

Ms April Chin Managing Partner and Chief Executive Officer,
Resaro (Singapore)

“I was amazed at the scale, the range, the number of international partners that are here. And it's clear that this being the fifth iteration, that that's a journey which will continue and there'll be more and more engagement and a greater scale. DSTA has managed to run a big conference which feels like an intimate conversation.”

General Sir Jim Hockenhull Commander,
UK Strategic Command (UK)

“I'd say that the summit is very, intellectually provocative. It is really forcing all of us to confront just how quickly things are changing. There's been a lot of really interesting conversation about AI, autonomy, and their intersection.”

Dr Christopher Kirchhoff Author of Unit X: How the Pentagon and Silicon Valley are Transforming the Future of War
(USA)

“I would describe my experience at the summit as “awakening”. Defence technology is driving the paradigm shift in future battlefields, while also promoting technological advancements in the civilian sector. It plays an important role in shaping the future of a nation.”

Mr Seok Jonggun Former Minister,
Defense Acquisition Program Administration (Republic of Korea)

“It’s been fantastic. A lot of different plenaries and tech talk sessions. You have a chance to actually engage with other people and network with 40 countries involved here. It’s phenomenal.”

Honorable Heidi Shyu Former Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering of the United States
(USA)

Programme Highlights

Tuesday, 23 March 2027

[1900]

Opening Dinner & Welcome Address by Minister for Defence Chan Chun Sing (by invitation only)

Wednesday, 24 March 2027

[0900]

Keynote Address by Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong

[1030]

Government Leader Remarks

[1045]

Plenary 1

Outmatch: The Future of Warfare

[1150]

Tech Talk

[1345]

Fireside Chat

[1415]

Plenary 2

Outpace: Agility in the Battlefield

[1545]

Tech Talk

[1610]

Government Leader Remarks

[1700]

Networking Drinks

Thursday, 25 March 2027

[0900]

Tech Leader Remarks

[0915]

Plenary 3

Outsmart: Operational Advantage through AI and Autonomy

[1035]

Fireside Chat

[1105]

Tech Talk

[1130]

Plenary 4

Outlast: Resilience in Defence Ecosystems

Check Out Tech Summit 2025 Highlights

Hear from past participants