Roundtable: Procurement for a Stronger Europe
Join us for a roundtable on reshaping defense procurement at both national and European levels to drive innovation, resilience, and sovereignty.
It is part of the Young European Symposium, and to participate, you must purchase a ticket.
The rise of drones and AI-powered systems has fundamentally changed modern warfare.
Affordable, unmanned systems can neutralize tanks and warships worth orders of magnitude more, creating an asymmetric battlefield advantage.
To maintain security and strategic autonomy, European governments must adopt procurement strategies to integrate cutting-edge defense technologies rapidly.
This interactive, moderated discussion will engage all participants and focus on key challenges such as:
Streamlining procurement to make it easier for emerging defense players to get contracts.
Fostering collaboration amongst the new wave of defense companies to counter legacy industry dominance.
Ensuring governments gain access to innovative solutions at a competitive cost.
Hosted by the European Defense Tech Hub and the Young European Symposium, this roundtable will bring together key stakeholders from defense, government, and policy.
Let's ensure groundbreaking technologies aren’t lost in bureaucracy—but reach the battlefield, where they can save lives and protect Europe’s sovereignty.
Agenda
4:00 pm: Doors Open, Welcome & Brief Introduction
4:30 pm: Roundtable Discussion
5:30 pm: Continued Discussion in Focus Groups
6:30 pm: Open-ended Networking
7:00 pm: End of Event
Key Questions
How can procurement policies encourage the adoption of emerging technologies like autonomous drones and AI-driven defense systems?
What funding models, incentives, or regulatory changes can lower the risk for governments in purchasing novel solutions?
How can defense companies better navigate complex procurement landscapes across Europe?
What tools or platforms could help reduce friction in working with government buyers?
How can transparency in procurement be improved to prevent incumbents from maintaining artificial barriers?
What structures can help strengthen the collective voice of innovative companies in procurement processes?