The DEFEA Conference 2026, held on May 5, 2026, at the Metropolitan Expo in Athens, brought together high-level policymakers, industry leaders, and experts to discuss pressing defence and security challenges under the theme “Securing Tomorrow: Defence Strategies for the Future”. The conference opened with welcome remarks by Anastasios Rozolis, President of SEKPY, followed by keynote speeches from distinguished figures including Andrius Kubilius, European Commissioner for Defence and Space, H.E. Nikos Christodoulides, President of the Republic of Cyprus, and Radmila Shekerinska, NATO Deputy Secretary General, who collectively highlighted the growing importance of strategic cooperation, innovation, and resilience in addressing evolving security threats. A key discussion of the conference was held with the Minister of National Defence, Mr. Nikos Dendias, who outlined Greece’s vision for military innovation and “Agenda 2030”.
Dr. Elena Lazarou moderated the roundtable discussion titled “Strategic Autonomy & Emerging Threats”, featuring Christina Giannopapa, Head of the Office of the Executive Director, EUSPA (European Union Agency for the Space Programme), Baudouin Heuninckx, Acting Director of the Industry Synergies and Enablers Directorate at the European Defence Agency; Andreas Mitrakas, Head of Unit at the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA); and Giorgos Giannopoulos, Acting Director at the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission (JRC).
The session focused on how geopolitical instability, hybrid warfare, and the rapid expansion of space and cyber domains—alongside the rise of artificial intelligence—are reshaping collective security, with particular emphasis on strengthening deterrence through strategic autonomy, enhanced resilience, and the development of a robust industrial base.
Αναλυτές
