28 October 2011

European Defence Conference 2011 Report

A sends:

I cite below the full message posted by Dutchman Jan Wind in the Dutch DoD group on LinkedIn. Jan Wind is "Director at WISER Consultancy" and "Secretary (acting) at Federation of European Defence Technology Associations EDTA".

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October newsletter of the European Defence Conference - the results

The European Defence Conference 2011 took place on 20 and 21 October 2011 in Warsaw and provided opportunities for a broad range of discussion on European defence co-operation from the perspective of research and development. In addition to that, researchers from various EU-countries presented some of their work and ideas for future co-operation. This first edition of the conference, organized by Fraunhofer INT and WISER Consultancy, gathered some 130 participants and was opened by the Polish Undersecretary for Defence Policy, Mr. Zbigniew Wlosowicz.

Among the topics and issues discussed were:

• Need to adopt Smart defence specialisation of countries in military tasks and multinational solutions to equipment needs;
  
• Importance of consultation with partner nations on cuts in national defence structures before final decisions are made already too frequent an occurrence;
  
• Need for improved top level political engagement on European defence issues industry should raise this with governments and on parliamentary level.
  
• Further improvements in information sharing across the community, with some specific policy help and advice for smaller countries;
  
• Less involved pMS and SMEs expressed interest in regional workshops to educate and inform them on how to get involved in defence business; this was said in the context of not being able to get to Brussels easily and often.
  
• Industry would like to see more intelligent competition in procurement not just competition at every opportunity SMEs could be assisted by adopting an engagement strategy based on best practice.

ESA was given as a "best practice" example. This should be complemented by a competence database for SMEs using an effective and proven software package.

• Technology forecast: EDA expressed interest in the Disruptive Technology Assessment Game (DTAG) developed by NATO

The conference was well received by participants. Mr. Adam Sowa, Deputy Chief Executive of EDA and key note speaker, commented that the EDC was a very well organized and useful conference and that constructive minds had been at work. Dr. Albert van der Steen of TNO who chaired one of the sessions said that he used to believe a conference like EDC should be organised by EDA, but that the event had convinced him that an independently organised conference could be much more effective. A NATO representative also remarked they would increase their participation should a future edition be held. Captain RNLNavy Jan Wind (Rtd) of WISER Consultancy and Dr. Merle Missoweit of Fraunhofer INT speaking on behalf the organising committee said they were very pleased with the outcome of the conference:

During this first EDC, excellent speakers and a knowledgeable audience stimulated discussions in a constructive atmosphere as we had intended. I heard nothing but positive feedback these last two days. Our team will work with EDA, ASD and others to determine how to follow up on this first EDC.

For more information and a video capture of the keynote speeches visit

http://www.defenceconference.eu/report