Europe has entered a decisive phase in defence cooperation. Political ambition and financial commitments are at historic highs, yet a critical challenge remains: turning commitments into funded projects, deployable solutions, and real capabilities.
Under the auspices of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU, and with the support of the Cyprus Ministry of Defence, this high-level conference will convene policymakers, finance and industry to examine how Europe can move from ambition to delivery by better financing and deploying dual-use and digital defence technologies:
How EU defence programmes and financial instruments, together with lending and risk-sharing mechanisms, can be better aligned with real demand, clear buyer signals, and faster deployment
The conditions needed to attract investment and scaleSMEs across Europe’s defence and digital industrial base
EU and national policymakers shaping defence, industrial, and budgetary decisions
Financial institutions and investors active in defence and dual-use technologies
Large industry players and SMEs across the defence and digital value chains
Research and innovation stakeholders focused on industrial uptake and deployment
Strategic partners engaged in European defence cooperation
08:30 - 09:00
Registration and welcome coffee
09:00 - 09:15
Introduction and opening remarks
Dr. Daniel Fiott Head of Defence, Investment and Innovation Centre for Security, Diplomacy and Strategy at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Dr. Panayiotis Hadjipavlis Defence Director Cyprus Ministry of Defence
09:15 - 10:00
Panel I
From ambition to scale: unlocking Europe's defence financing
How EU programmes and financial instruments can strengthen Europe’s defence and dual-use technologies and industrial capabilities today and in the next MFF
Moderator
Danai Tsapikidou Partner Schuman Associates
Speakers
Paraskevi Papantoniou Head of Unit for Defence Single Market and Hybrid Threats European Commission, DG DEFIS
Oliver Cusworth Senior Policy Advisor for Defence Lending European Investment Bank
Henrik Bliddal Head of National Security and Defence NOKIA
David Luengo Managing Director of Brussels Office INDRA
10:00 - 10:30
Networking coffee
10:30 - 11:15
Panel II
No more prototypes: Europe’s urgent task to deploy, defend, and deliver
Closing the deployment gap by scaling dual‑use and digital defence solutions, reducing fragmentation, and enabling joint procurement
Moderator
Dr. Constantinos Hadjisavvas Director for Digital Resilience and Defence DIGITALEUROPE
Speakers
Dr. Panayiotis Hadjipavlis Defence Director Ministry of Defence, Cyprus
Federica Valente Manager of the Hub for European Defence Innovation European Defence Agency
Dr. Michael Froneberg Head of EU and NATO Relations KNDS
Kadi Silde Director for European Engagement Helsing
11:15 - 11:45
High-level policy conversation
No time to wait: finance it, deploy it, defend Europe
Matching Europe’s defence ambitions with speed and scale: what needs to change, who must lead, and how to turn commitments into capabilities quickly.
Moderator
Dr. Daniel Fiott Head of Defence, Investment and Innovation Centre for Security, Diplomacy and Strategy at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Speakers
Dr Tomasz Husak Director of Defence Policy European Commission Directorate General for Defence Industry and Space
Merete Clausen Deputy Chief Executive European Investment Fund
Colonel Constantinos Constantinou Military Representative of the Republic of Cyprus to the EU Military Committee Permanent Representation of the Republic of Cyprus to the EU
Ruth Estrada Dorronsoro CEO Schuman Associates
Confirmed speakers
Registration for this event has now closed
Thank you for your interest. We hope to welcome you to future events.
