EES Live (05/2024)

May 7th, 2024, 5.00 p.m.

“The future of EU defence”

As part of our EES Live, we want to address the complex issue of EU defence policy. The reorientation of American defence policy under Trump and the war in Ukraine have shown Europe in no uncertain terms that we need to position ourselves better militarily nationally and in Europe. At the same time, the war in Ukraine shows very clearly that innovative strategies in the field of defence can be very successful, for example the use of drones. A sustainable and effective defence must therefore be thought of very differently today than it was just a few years ago. In addition to the speed and availability of material, innovations and the ability to innovate are decisive factors for victory or defeat and for deterrence.

What is the status of European defence capability in this context? What potential is there and what are the current obstacles that mean we are still lagging behind? How to improve innovation capacity and market dynamics with a particular focus on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)?

Our goal is to analyse the policy nuances and examine how they intersect and with market dynamics. At the same time, we would like to give you deeper insights into the evolving landscape of European security.

Our Speakers/Experts are:

• Matej Kandrík
  Managing Director of the Adapt Institute
• Garvan Walshe
  Research Fellow at the Wilfried Martens Centre focusing on European defence policy
• Markus Becker (tbc)
  Director of Business Development at IBV Holding GmbH, which represents SMEs in the defence sector; Chairman of the SME Connect Defence Working Group

Moderation

• Dr Ingo Friedrich
  President European Economic Senate (EES)