GLOBSEC 2024 Defence Roundtable

As geopolitical tensions escalate and the contours of modern warfare evolve, the defence roundtable held at the GLOBSEC 2024 Forum delved into the issues facing the European Union's defense capabilities, with a sharp focus on Ukraine's pivotal role.

The sessions within the roundtable brought together defence experts from public an private sector to discuss the integration of advanced technologies, the enhancement of military production, and the strategic imperatives for European defense. From increasing military self-reliance in Ukraine to addressing broader security challenges that affect the entire continent, the debate explored a range of topics that are critical to shaping a resilient and responsive European defense strategy in the face of emerging global threats. 

Dive deeper into the key takeaways from the sessions below.

Key General Takeaways from the Roundtable

1. Ukraine has increased military production and innovation rapidly, but lacks financial resources and relies on external funding, technology transfers, and supply chain support to meet its critical needs.
    
2. The war in Ukraine has tested European unity and defence capabilities, requiring close coordination between governments, military units, and industry to address issues such as manufacturing capacity and standardisation.
    
3. Strengthening public-private partnerships and speeding up innovation are essential to scaling up production, addressing supply chain fragility, and ensuring new technologies reach the military quickly.
    
4. Trust issues between governments and the private sector, combined with cumbersome bureaucratic processes hinder innovation advancement. Reducing red tape and promoting cooperation are key to advancing technological development.
    
5. Ukraine is a leader in the use of unmanned systems and AI-driven technologies, which are crucial in modern warfare, but the challenge of information sharing and interoperability across alliances remains significant.

 

Opening Speakers:

• BG (Ret.) Rolf Wagner, Deputy Director, George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies
• John Barter, Senior Vice President, GLOBSEC

 

Session 1: European Defence: Time for change

Moderator:

• John Barter, Senior Vice President, GLOBSEC

Speakers:

• Jonathan Hoyle, Chief Executive Europe, Lockheed Martin
• Alexandre Penley, Regional Sales Director, KNDS
• Serhiy Boyev, Deputy Minister for Strategic Industries of Ukraine for European Integration
• LTG Piotr Blazeusz, Commanding General, Eurocorps

Summary Points – Session 1
 

1. Over the past 2.5 years, Ukraine has increased its military production and innovation, but its capabilities lack financial resources. External funding, technology transfer, and supply chain support, especially for critical components such as explosives and drones, are needed from partners. Partners are also welcome to come in and manufacture in Ukraine; this would reduce the shipping times.
    
2. The war in Ukraine has been testing European unity, resilience, and defence capabilities. Coordination between ‘the trio to tango’ – governments and organisations, the military, and industry – is critical to success. The European defence industry faces issues like manufacturing capacity, lack of standardisation, and the need to reduce platform diversity.
    
3. Scaling up production and addressing fragile supply chains are essential. Ukraine has demonstrated rapid innovation, often driven by private industry, which points to the need for stronger private-public partnerships and faster information exchange. Experimentation is a field that needs to be further explored by ‘the trio’ to ensure innovations get to the military quickly.
    
4. There is a challenge in building trust between governments and the private tech sector, as bureaucracy and time delays are perceived to hinder innovation. Industry’s focus on profit needs to be turned into cooperation and integration. Stronger partnerships and reduced red tape are necessary to accelerate technological development and deployment.

 

Session 2: The role of unmanned systems by 2030

Moderator:

• Fritz Rademacher, Professor of International & Security Studies, George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies

Speakers:

• Kateryna Chernogorenko, Deputy Minister of Defence of Ukraine for Digital Development, Digital Transformation and Digitalization
• MG Christopher F. Yancy, Mobilization Assistant to the Commander, U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa, Ramstein Air Base, Germany
• Martin Vaľovský, Chairman and Regional Director, SEC Technologies
• Brandon Tseng, President and Co-Founder, Shield AI
  
   

Summary Points – Session 2:
 

1. Ukraine is leading in the use of cutting-edge unmanned systems, with at least 170 different types deployed. AI and autonomous systems, including drone swarming, are crucial for saving lives and gaining a tactical edge, especially in a war of attrition.
    
2. The future of warfare will rely on a hybrid force that balances traditional hardware, like helicopters, and drones and AI-driven technologies.
    
3. AI offers significant advantages. Agility and speed on the battlefield are critical, and AI can help in areas like electronic warfare, where rapid adaptation is essential. On the other hand, it also raises challenges in terms of information sharing across alliances. Interoperability remains a problem, and there are limitations on what can be shared to maintain security.

 

Session 3: Introduction of the Public – Private Dialogue

Speaker:

• Martin Sklenár, Former Minister of Defence of the Slovak Republic & Distinguished Fellow, GLOBSEC

The presentation was an introduction of the Future of Security and Defence Council (FSDC) and the Public – Private Dialogue, which consist of thematic sessions on current topics with political representatives, practitioners, industry and subject-matter experts. The participants were provided with a glimpse of the future activities of the programme.

 

Final Remarks on Deportation and abuse of Ukrainian children

Russia has deliberately targeted and abducted nearly 20,000 Ukrainian children. These children are being re-educated under Russian propaganda, erased of their Ukrainian identity, and given new Russian identities. This systematic abuse is a defence issue and part of a broader strategy to undermine Ukraine by targeting its future generation and the bearers of its culture and identity. These children are being militarised and used as tools against their own country. Protecting them is essential not only for moral reasons, but also to safeguard Ukraine’s sovereignty and future.