Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine has radically changed the security environment in Europe. Defence and security policies, armed forces and the European Defence Industrial and Technological Base (EDTIB) will have to adapt rapidly to the new context. Against this background, the question is what the EU and the Commission can do in the coming years to strengthen the EDTIB in its capacity to support Member States and Ukraine.

Join us for a thought-provoking opening conversation on the current state of Europe’s security landscape and its readiness to face the return of large-scale war to the continent. The panel brings together distinguished speakers from the realms of politics and diplomacy, with the discussion delving into the ongoing geopolitical tensions in the region, the evolving threat landscape, and the role of the international community in promoting a just peace for Ukraine. Moderated by Maria Tadeo, Senior Reporter at Bloomberg, the panel promises to provide a nuanced and insightful exploration of one of the most pressing issues facing Europe today.

Europe today faces various geopolitical and technological challenges that affect its defence industry, from the rise of assertive competitors and the energy transition to the emergence of disruptive technologies and the vulnerability of its supply chains. At the same time, the EDTIB has suffered from decades of fragmentation and under-investment and, more recently, a hostile public perception of being unsustainable. This interview with Micael Johansson, CEO and President of Saab,  will focus on how best to adapt the EDTIB to the new geopolitical reality and avoid falling behind allies, competitors, and potential rivals.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine marks a paradigm shift in European security, bringing large-scale war back to the continent. In response, the EU has sought to reinforce its capacity as a security and defence actor by leveraging existing instruments, such as the European Peace Facility, and developing new ones. These initiatives follow the adoption in 2021 of the Strategic Compass, which highlighted the EU’s ambition for greater strategic autonomy. At the same time, the war in Ukraine has brought territorial defence and deterrence back at the top of the geopolitical agenda and reinforced NATO’s role as the primary framework of European defence. Meanwhile, the global centre of gravity continues to shift eastwards amidst growing geopolitical and geoeconomic competition, particularly between the US and China. In this high-level interview, we will discuss the implications of these developments for European security, and how the EU can develop its role as a security provider in Europe, in its neighbourhood and beyond.

• How has the implementation of the Strategic Compass been since its launch in 2022?
• How have initiatives such as the EDF and Peace Facility helped Ukraine and Europe?
• What role does the EU see for itself, in the domains of hard and soft powers?

Antonov has been in operation for over 70 years with a strong legacy of innovation. During the Russian invasion it has faced devastating setbacks but has continued to operate and contribute to the Ukrainian effort despite hostilities. In this interview we will be talking to the General Director on how the company has remained resilient, what it needs from Europe to continue its efforts, and prospects for a recovered and prosperous Ukraine.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine marks the return of industrial warfare to the continent. In this security landscape, Europe must have the capacity to defend its citizens and values and to support its partners in defending theirs. The European defence technological and industrial base (EDTIB) is crucial for developing, producing, and supporting the equipment that underpins this capacity. To be fit for the new security environment, the EDTIB must therefore be able to always deliver and under any circumstances the equipment that our armed forces require to fulfil their mission. This also includes the capacity to continuously innovate in order to ensure operational superiority against potential adversaries in the future. To achieve this, there are several key questions that must be answered:

• What threat scenarios must Europe be prepared to address?
• What kind of capabilities, what quantities and what speed should industry be able to provide?
• How would these industrial capacities be determined, funded, and distributed between MS?

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has also highlighted the non-military security threats that the EU is facing today. While those challenges manifest in both the physical and the digital domains, their ‘cyber’ dimension is becoming increasingly prevalent. Concerted mis- and disinformation campaigns, particularly online, aim to undermine European values and democratic systems. Public authorities and key enterprises have been subjected to cyber espionage and cyber sabotage, while European critical infrastructures have been attacked. The European Commission has put in place several initiatives and instruments to protect from such hybrid threats and build a Security Union.

• What are the key challenges to achieving the Security Union and keeping the EU safe from hybrid threats, including in cyber space?
• How does the Commission plan to address these challenges and ensure a coordinated effort among all relevant stakeholders?
• What role does technology, and the industry that develops it, play in this initiative and how does the Commission plan to leverage it to enhance the security of Europeans?

Cybersecurity and cyber resilience are increasingly important for the security, stability and resilience of European states, societies and economies. A secure cyberspace is essential for the control and protection of all critical infrastructures, as well as a key enabler of effective military action in all physical domains. In Ukraine, Russia has demonstrated its readiness to launch cyber-attacks against civilian and military targets, while in the EU, governments and industries face daily cyber threats, such as espionage and sabotage. In a deteriorating cybersecurity landscape, and given the rapid evolution of disruptive digital technologies such as AI and quantum computing, how can Europe ensure its capacity to secure and defend the strategic parts of its cyberspace?

• How can the EU, NATO, and partners remain innovating and ahead of the most dangerous cyber technologies?
• How can the cross-border implications of cyber security and defence be best managed, globally as well as regionally?
• What role can the European defence and security industry play in protecting Europe’s critical systems and infrastructures from cyber threats?

This conference session features an exclusive interview with General Claudio Graziano, the Chairman of Fincantieri, one of the world’s leading shipbuilding companies. Participants will have the opportunity to gain insights into the company’s strategies, challenges, and future plans directly from its top executive as well as drawing from his unique experience as former Chairman of the EU Military Committee. The session promises to be a valuable learning experience for anyone interested in the maritime industry.

Up to 99% of global data flows are transmitted through undersea cables, over 80% of global trade is seaborne, and about two-thirds of the world’s oil and gas is extracted at or transported by sea. At the same time, maritime security challenges have multiplied in recent years, threatening Europe’s access to this vital domain. The recent sabotage of the Nordstream pipeline highlighted the importance and vulnerability of maritime critical infrastructure. At the same time, European navies face challenges from global and regional rivals that are investing heavily in modern naval capabilities and engaging in aggressive and unlawful behaviour at sea. Furthermore, Europeans are increasingly called to safeguard strategic interests in distant regions such as the Indo-Pacific and the Arctic. Against this background, the protection of Europe’s maritime interests requires modern naval capabilities, based on new technologies and data-centric systems.

• Are European navies at risk of becoming operationally obsolete, and are we prepared for increased confrontation at sea?
• What are the security threats to undersea communications cables and pipeline infrastructure, and how can we enhance our resilience to protect our maritime infrastructure and deep-sea interests
• How can the European defence and security industry contribute to enhancing the EU’s maritime security, in particular as regards the protection of critical infrastructure?

As the Alliance faces one of its most critical periods, this interview will delve into the challenges it faces in modernising its military capabilities, and the strategies being implemented to ensure the alliance remains prepared for any future threat.

• How has NATO’s response to Euro-Atlantic security challenges impacted it’s posture and what steps are being taken to improve it?
• How is NATO adapting its military capabilities to meet new threats and changing global security dynamics?
• Considering the ongoing conflict, how is NATO ensuring the continuity of its military operations and the readiness of its forces?
• Resilience: what role do societies and businesses play in collective defence and how can we make sure we use the full power of the collective?

The discussion will delve into the challenges and opportunities facing Europe in the realm of space and how its strategy can be used to enhance its defence capabilities, spur innovation, and support the development of its defence industry. The speakers will provide insights into the EU’s plans for developing its own independent space capabilities, the role that member states will play in this effort, and how the EU’s space strategy will impact its relationship with other countries and international organizations in the area of defence and security.

• How can the EU’s defence industry benefit from its space strategy, and what measures are being taken to ensure its competitiveness in the global market?
• How will the EU’s space strategy impact cooperation and coordination among its member states?
• What measures will the EU take to protect its space assets and infrastructure, and what role will the defence industry play in this effort?

The fight against climate change and the associated energy transition is one of the key challenges of our time, with important implications for Europe’s armed forces and defence industries. The public, policymakers and financial markets expect the defence sector to contribute to decarbonisation. At the same time, climate change will lead to increasingly harsh environmental conditions, which will change operational requirements and put a premium on energy-efficiency and resilience. Decarbonisation therefore comes along with different challenges and opportunities for the defence industry.

• What are militaries and the defence industry doing to reduce the defence sector’s carbon footprint and what are the key challenges in this effort?
• What technologies are needed for European armed forces’ energy transition?
• How can policymakers and the financial community support the energy transition of defence?

This closing session of the conference aims to explore the current security challenges faced by Europe in the context of the war in Ukraine and potential ways to address them. The high-level panel will discuss the role of governments, international organizations, and civil society in creating a more secure Europe in the current and upcoming presidencies of the EU.