Fireside-Chat: Innovation for enhancing Europe’s resilience and security

Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine has shown that innovation is key to ensuring security and resilience. In the past, Europe has often lagged behind the United States when it comes to fostering effective cooperation between industry and military. With its network of more than 20 affiliated accelerator sites and over 180 test centres, NATO’s Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) aims to identify and accelerate dual-use innovation across the Alliance. But how can this network be integrated into the wider existing support frameworks of the EU and NATO member states? How has the paradigm shift brought about by Germany’s “Zeitenwende” influenced cooperation between German industry and NATO? And what regulatory changes are necessary to further develop an innovative defense-tech ecosystem that ensures that NATO stays ahead of potential adversaries?

Dennis Gyllensporre, Chair, Board of Directors, Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA)

Peter Leibinger, Präsident, BDI