Shyam Sankar, CTO of Palantir Technologies, emphasized the critical need for deterrence in defense technology, highlighting that while war is inherently negative, preparation is essential to prevent conflicts. He noted that effective deterrence requires a combination of technology, strategy, and readiness to make it unthinkable for adversaries to challenge the US. Sankar also discussed the evolving role of Silicon Valley in national security, pointing out a disconnect between the tech industry's global outlook and US national security priorities. He highlighted the shift in the US economy towards defense specialization post-Cold War, which has impacted national security and defense capabilities. Concerns were raised about the current US military production capabilities, which may not effectively deter adversaries. Sankar stressed the importance of revitalizing the American industrial base to enhance defense capabilities and innovation, noting that the decline in manufacturing capacity has weakened national security. The Arsenal platform's modular approach to manufacturing was presented as a solution to improve flexibility and responsiveness in defense production.