Mapping Emerging Digital Technologies in Defense: A Scientometric and Systematic Review

The current paper presents a scientometric and systematic analysis of defense evolution driven by emerging technologies, focusing on two broad categories: 1) internal defense (civil) and 2) external defense (ground, aerial, and naval). The study explores how technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), Internet of Things (IoT), digital twin (DT), and next-generation networks (4G, 5G, and 6G) transform defense operations by enhancing efficiency, accuracy, and decision-making capabilities. The analysis integrates three tools: 1) excel for examining publication and citation trends; 2) CiteSpace for citation network visualisation and co-citation cluster identification; and 3) VOSViewer for keyword co-occurrence mapping and geographic contribution analysis. The dataset, comprising records retrieved from the Scopus database, spans the publication years 2019 to 2024. In addition, a systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted covering English-language peer-reviewed journal and conference articles published between 2016 and 2025. The findings reveal a significant rise in defense-related research, particularly from 2019 onward, driven by the integration of AI-enabled autonomous systems, predictive analytics, and real-time situational awareness. The study concludes with future research directions emphasising the need for 6G-enabled DTs, advanced AI capabilities, and cross-domain interoperability to enhance the adaptability, resilience, and intelligence of modern defense systems.