Aerospace, Security and Defence Industries Association of Europe (ASD)’s Post

🌍 Strategic Challenges for the Future of Defence: A Thoughtful Reflection 🛡️ I recently read the report from the UK Ministry of Defence’s Defence Futures (formerly DCDC), created in collaboration with RAND Europe and the Global Strategic Partnership. This collection of essays explores pressing topics in global defence, including China’s rise and ongoing tensions with Russia, North Korea, and Iran. As a scientist and a Ukrainian, two essays particularly resonated with me: 1️⃣ "From threat multiplier to comprehensive climate security: Reconsidering the national security implications of climate change" Dr Pauline Sophie Heinrichs writes: "In a warming world, stability requires enormous investments to provide for the same basic safety needs that governments have provided previously - or to improve such provisions. These investments are nevertheless cheaper than inaction. This is not an ideological position, but a strategic one." This highlights the urgent need for proactive measures to address climate security - an imperative I wholeheartedly support. 2️⃣ "Claiming the past: How Russia uses securitised historical memory and why it matters" Dr Jade McGlynn observes: "Historical memory in Russia is not merely a backdrop but a critical framework through which the regime interprets security and develops geopolitical strategies." I appreciate the author’s focus on this critical issue and deeply value the recognition of Ukraine’s hard-earned expertise in countering Russian disinformation, often rooted in the weaponization of historical memory: "Strategic communications professionals should lecture less and listen more to countries like Ukraine, with deeper knowledge of Russia and the ability to counter Russian disinformation." This report serves as a call to action for policymakers, scientists, and strategists to rethink assumptions and collaborate on addressing global challenges. 📖 I encourage everyone who values democracy and its preservation to explore these essays for deeper insights: https://lnkd.in/ehsAZT7b #RAND #GlobalSecurity #PolicyInnovation #ClimateSecurity #Ukraine

🚨 NEW PUBLICATION | Wanted: EU Commissioner for Defence and Security In this commentary, EPC's Maria Martisiute argues that a strengthened EU role in driving the defence agenda forward, in conjunction with NATO, must be a priority. The proposed new EU Commissioner for Defence & Security must have a clear plan, be ambitious, yet pragmatic, and cut across policy silos. The tasks should span 4 levels: 🔸 Industry 🔸 Investments 🔸 Society 🔸 Structure The new Commissioner, HRVP/EEAS, and the new NATO SG need to seize the momentum of their incoming mandates & harness inter-institutional synergies including through the opening of Offices or Delegations in each other’s HQ. Read it here 👇 https://buff.ly/45Twans

📢 Save The Date – ENDR conference “Skills in the EU defence ecosystem” The European Commission in collaboration with the SEKPY - Hellenic Manufacturers of Defense Materiel Association organizes the 2nd #European #Conference on “SKILLS IN THE EU DEFENCE ECOSYSTEM” in #Thessaloniki, Greece. The event will take place in the context of The European Network of Defence-related Regions (#ENDR), managed by European Commission DG #DG_DEFIS. The Conference will also contribute to the ENDR objective of bringing #regional #authorities and #clusters together to share experiences and good practices in building #defence_related strategies and accessing #EU #funding, particularly to the benefit of #SMEs. The #agenda of the #Conference will include welcome remarks and key-note speeches (possibly at Ministerial level), panel discussions, dedicated thematic sessions and a #networking #reception. The Conference will give the opportunity to participants from a variety of sectors, such as #industries, #research_centres of excellence, #academic #institutions, #governmental officers, and #Armed_Forces personnel, to communicate and exchange experience and best practices on the #skills in defence sector. The conference will be held “in person”, on 26-27 November 2024 at the Concert Hall, in Thessaloniki, Greece. More information will become available soon! #EC #ENDR #SEKPY #conference #skills #defence #industry #Thessaloniki #DG_DEFIS #Greece

🌍🛡️ Reflecting on Strategic Challenges for the Future of Defence 🌍🛡️ In Spring 2024, the Development, Concepts and Doctrine Centre (DCDC) of the UK Ministry of Defence initiated a bold project in partnership with the Global Strategic Partnership (GSP). This initiative, led by RAND Europe, culminated in a series of thought-provoking essays designed to challenge conventional wisdom and present 'uncomfortable truths' to senior officials and decision-makers. These nine essays, now published, tackle critical strategic topics, including: The evolving roles of the UK and NATO in global defence. The strategic implications of China's rising influence. Ongoing tensions with Russia, North Korea, and Iran. Their purpose? To ignite deeper reflection and robust dialogue within the UK Ministry of Defence and the broader defence community. As of July 2024, DCDC has transitioned into Defence Futures, a forward-thinking organisation within the Integration Design Authority at UK Strategic Command. This evolution underscores a commitment to integrating innovative ideas and strategies to address complex global challenges. These essays represent more than just analysis—they're a call to action for strategic thinkers, policymakers, and practitioners to question assumptions and engage in meaningful discussions about our collective future. 👉 Interested in reading these essays? https://lnkd.in/ehsAZT7b Share your thoughts and join the conversation #DefenceFutures #StrategicThinking #GlobalSecurity #UKDefence #RAND #PolicyInnovation

Security and defence are high on the EU's agenda for the new political cycle. In a new European Policy Analysis, Katarina Engberg, Senior Advisor at SIEPS, examines the emerging building blocks of a European Total Defence Union. The European Commission aims to create both a European Defence Union and a Preparedness Union, and coordinating these initiatives is both complex and necessary. This is also emphasised in the so called Niinistö-report. While many of the tools necessary to build this security organisation are already in place within the EU, Engberg points to factors that may complicate implementation. The author also provides an overview of the political and bureaucratic efforts required to build up both civilian and military structures within the EU. More than anything else, Ukraine’s fate will determine the shape and nature of the EU as Europeans will have to assume a greater responsibility not only for their own security but also for that of Ukraine.

SIEPS har publicerat en ny studie författad av Krigsvetenskapsakademiens ledamot Katarina Engberg. ”Security and defence are high on the EU’s agenda for the new political cycle. Katarina Engberg analyses the initiatives within the EU that point towards a total defence as well as the challenges and opportunities this brings. (2025:1epa) Wars are not only fought on the frontlines. This is evident in Ukraine’s defence against Russia’s aggression, which requires not only military action but also the constant reconstruction of civilian structures attacked by the enemy. Defence is thus not only a matter for the military, but for the whole of society. In Sweden and Finland, this insight has led to the establishment of a total defence –a defence that includes all actors in society. In this analysis, Katarina Engberg, Senior Advisor at SIEPS, examines the emerging building blocks of a European Total Defence Union. The European Commission aims to create both a European Defence Union and a Preparedness Union, and coordinating these initiatives is both complex and necessary. This is also emphasised in the report on European security commissioned by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen from former Finnish President Sauli Niinistö and published in October 2024. The analysis includes a review of the main features of the Niinistö report.” https://lnkd.in/dibE_6TT

SIEPS har publicerat en ny studie författad av Krigsvetenskapsakademiens ledamot Katarina Engberg. ”Security and defence are high on the EU’s agenda for the new political cycle. Katarina Engberg analyses the initiatives within the EU that point towards a total defence as well as the challenges and opportunities this brings. (2025:1epa) Wars are not only fought on the frontlines. This is evident in Ukraine’s defence against Russia’s aggression, which requires not only military action but also the constant reconstruction of civilian structures attacked by the enemy. Defence is thus not only a matter for the military, but for the whole of society. In Sweden and Finland, this insight has led to the establishment of a total defence –a defence that includes all actors in society. In this analysis, Katarina Engberg, Senior Advisor at SIEPS, examines the emerging building blocks of a European Total Defence Union. The European Commission aims to create both a European Defence Union and a Preparedness Union, and coordinating these initiatives is both complex and necessary. This is also emphasised in the report on European security commissioned by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen from former Finnish President Sauli Niinistö and published in October 2024. The analysis includes a review of the main features of the Niinistö report.” https://lnkd.in/d7nRJGHM

I put a few thoughts on paper in my recent European Policy Centre commentary on European #defence readiness. I argue that there is no silver bullet for the EU and its member states to achieve defence readiness. Rather, it will be a combination of overcoming indecisions and disagreements, sticking to well-defined strategic goals and acting over time in a concerted manner, including with NATO. Yet, what’s most urgent now, and has the potential to be a real game-changer, is to provide the necessary funding to implement EU ambitions and initiatives. Check it out ↓ https://lnkd.in/d7raR36c

📢 On December 13, the conference “European Defence Industry: Prospects for Cooperation with the Ukrainian Defence Industry” took place in Kyiv, bringing together a diverse and influential group of participants. Organized by the Group of European Conservatives and Reformists of the European Parliament in collaboration with the We Build Ukraine, the event served as a critical platform for discussions on fostering collaboration between Ukraine’s defense industry and its European partners. Attendees included: ✅ Members of the European Parliament's Subcommittee on Security and Defense ✅ Ukrainian parliamentarians and military officials ✅ Representatives from partner countries, manufacturing companies, and volunteer organizations One of the highlights was the panel discussion “What the Defence Sector Needs - A Business Perspective”, featuring Carsten Engdal Pedersen, Defence Industry Attaché at the Royal Danish Embassy in Ukraine. Carsten shared valuable insights into the “Danish model”, where Denmark directly invests in Ukrainian defence production to address the needs of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. He also emphasized the successful cooperation between Denmark on one hand, and the Defence Procurement Agency and the Ukrainian Ministries of Defence and of Strategic Industries, on the other hand, underscoring the potential for impactful partnerships in strengthening Ukraine's defence capabilities.