Modern Warfare Reality Outpacing European Mentality According to Defence Experts at Latitude59
Article
The "Thinking in Billions" event at Latitude59 underscored the need for the European Union and the West to accelerate defense innovation, particularly in the aftermath of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The discussions emphasized the importance of revising regulations, enhancing collaboration between defense forces and the private sector, and mobilizing private capital to foster innovation in the defense industry.
Estonian Minister of Economic Affairs and IT, Erkki Keldo, underlined the necessity for rapid innovation in defense technologies. He stated that smart, effective solutions are now required within accelerated timeframes, as demonstrated by the war in Ukraine. The minister highlighted the Estonian government's defense fund, launched earlier this year, to help defense technology companies overcome market obstacles and spur innovation.
Former Director of Operations for the US Central Intelligence Agency, James Acuna, expressed concern over the EU and the West's slow response to the harsh lessons of modern warfare, especially in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. He stressed the need for a more agile regulatory framework and mindset in Europe to reflect the realities of modern warfare.
The speakers at the event also discussed the development of test environments for drones and other defense technologies. They highlighted the impediments posed by current legislation in testing new defense and offensive technologies and the lack of testing environments where private companies can trial their products.
Ukraine's experience in developing defensive and offensive technologies was presented by Kateryna Chaikivska, an investment analyst at Brave1. Chaikivska emphasized the opportunity that investment in defense technology offers, not just in terms of returns, but also in terms of relevance. She highlighted Ukraine's unique ecosystem where technologies are tested and validated under real-life battlefield conditions, providing early access to cutting-edge solutions for investors looking to support the country's defense.
The experts acknowledged the increasing pressure on NATO's eastern flank due to both technological and geopolitical factors. They stressed the need for concerted efforts to promote defense innovation and the rapid adoption of new solutions to ensure the security of the Baltic States.
NATO DIANA Regional Director Kadri Tammai highlighted the readiness of companies to contribute to the defense industry. She urged a swift increase in Europe's capacity to implement new technologies from the civilian sector for defense purposes, including autonomous vehicles, drones, and smart communication solutions.
Nicholas Nelson, a venture capital partner at Superangel, emphasized the need for private capital to invest in defense technologies. He stated that Europe is in the early stages of forming a defense technology venture capital ecosystem and has the potential to create a thriving environment for the development and deployment of critical new defense capabilities. He noted that the time for being defense-curious or dual-use washing is over, and Europe needs private capital to actively support defense-first companies.
The Latitude59 event, organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications, brought together defense industry experts, technology entrepreneurs, and policymakers in Tallinn. The event aimed to discuss practical steps to strengthen Europe's defense capabilities and promote innovation in the defense industry.
- The discussions at the Latitude59 event underscored the necessity for European defense forces to collaborate with technology entrepreneurs and private capital, in order to foster innovation in defense technology, particularly in light of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
- In the sphere of sports, Ukraine's unique ecosystem for testing and validating defensive and offensive technologies under real-life battlefield conditions presents a compelling opportunity for investors, providing early access to cutting-edge solutions that could potentially revolutionize the field of defense, much like how sports often inspire innovation in other industries.
