Industrial Capacity as a Strategic Power Factor

Industrial capacity has re-emerged as a critical determinant of strategic power in the twenty-first century. Artificial intelligence, once perceived primarily as a domain of research and software, now underpins the physical processes of production, distribution, and logistics that sustain military readiness. The capacity to build, repair, and scale complex systems—ranging from autonomous platforms to advanced munitions—has become inseparable from national security. While technological innovation defines the frontier of capability, it is industrial strength that determines endurance. The wars of attrition in the digital age are fought as much in factories and data centres as on the battlefield. In this context, industrial power is measured not only by output but by adaptability: the ability to reconfigure production lines, manage distributed suppliers, and maintain flow under disruption. Artificial intelligence transforms these functions into a strategic asset, converting industrial organisation itself into a form of deterrence.