Brave new world: Building Europe’s capacities for defence and security R&D

For the first time since the end of the Cold War, the next period of EU politics and policy-making will be dominated by security issues. Russia’s invasion of the Ukraine, and more recently hostilities in the Middle East, has brought an abrupt end to what some have called Europe’s post-1991 “peace holiday” and prompted the worst energy crisis since the 1970s. Meanwhile, the potential outcome of November’s US presidential election casts a long shadow over the future of NATO and the traditional umbrella protecting European borders and citizens. And lest we forget, COVID-19 exposed the world’s vulnerability to deadly viruses and the critical importance of health security within the bigger picture.

As a result, Europe has been forced into a deep rethink of its geopolitical place in the world, its external dependencies and its risk exposure in global supply chains, among others. In parallel, the political rhetoric of “open strategic autonomy” is being put to an existential test: can Europe truly become self-sufficient, not least in critical and emerging technology domains and sectors? If not, where should it turn for partnership and cooperation in an increasingly turbulent world? Will its new defence industrial plan prove to be a game-changer?  And how will the status of non-military supply chains, such as food and pharmaceuticals, influence Europe’s future security and defence strategy?

The European Council (EUCO) has just set out its latest thinking on these questions, issuing an outline of a new mandate for the EU institutions through to 2029. Among the headlines is a clear recognition that security, defence readiness and autonomy will not be possible without a strong economic base. This in turn implies a coherent strategy and investment plan for the R&D and supply chains that will need to deliver future capabilities and novel technologies – a “whole-of-society” approach ranging from health, cybersecurity and AI, to (aero)space, energy and advanced materials. 

Since COVID, approaches to this challenge have tended to be short-term and reactive – securing access to raw materials, stockpiling medicines, reshoring manufacturing facilities, and similar. Looking ahead, however, Europe will require a sustained wave of R&D to modernise current production systems, as well as breakthrough innovation across sectors that boosts competitiveness, preparedness and security levels. All of which raises a number of significant questions:

• How might the Commission optimise its coordination of security-related R&I moving forward, including dual-use research, given the number of directorates and domains involved? 
• What novel approaches, including regulatory, could unleash the innovation potential of European science & industry? Are public-private partnerships key to driving progress? 
• Where do security-oriented R&I investments need to flow, and through which funding vehicles? Are member-states prepared to spend whatever it takes to be secure?
• Can the EU afford to keep international allies out of key security-related R&I programmes moving forward?   

On October 17, Science|Business will convene senior representatives from the worlds of industry, policy and research to discuss how these challenges – and opportunities – might be addressed as the EU transitions into its new mandate.