European Defence Innovation & the Dual-Use Imperative: From Regional Capabilities to Strategic European Opportunities

Europe’s defence landscape is undergoing a fundamental transformation. The principle of dual-use by design, now embedded in EU infrastructure and innovation policy, has created an unprecedented convergence between civilian technology and defence requirements. With billions mobilised through the European Defence Fund, EUDIS, EDIP, AGILE, and Horizon Europe, and with the European Preparedness Union Strategy setting the political framework, the window of opportunity for technology companies, research institutions, and defence industry has never been wider.

This transformation is also highly relevant for regional innovation ecosystems such as Thessaly, where technology capabilities in areas including digital solutions, agri-food, logistics, health, advanced materials, cybersecurity and industrial innovation can acquire new strategic value in emerging dual-use markets.

The forum “European Defence Innovation and the Dual-Use Imperative” is designed to examine this transformation from multiple angles: the policy and institutional architecture driving it, the technologies at its core, and the concrete pathways available to Greek and European actors seeking to participate. Through three panel discussions and a series of high-level welcome addresses, the event will bring together voices from government, industry, academia, and active EU defence operations to map the landscape and identify actionable opportunities.

Particular emphasis will be placed on how existing research, industrial and technological strengths can be translated into strategic capabilities, cross-sector partnerships and access to European cooperation frameworks. In this respect, the discussion will also reflect the broader priorities of smart specialisation, regional competitiveness and resilience, linking European defence innovation with the practical needs and potential of local innovation actors.

The forum is hosted by the JOIST Defence Innovation Hub in Larissa, Greece, established to serve as the structured interface between Greek and European technology innovators and the European defence ecosystem.

Located in Thessaly, the Hub is positioned to support a more systematic connection between regional technology providers, research organisations, innovation support actors and European defence-related opportunities. By creating a bridge between civilian innovation and defence-oriented demand, it can help companies and researchers explore new pathways for cooperation, funding and market access.

The event will also provide space for dialogue between businesses, research institutions, public authorities and ecosystem actors, helping to identify existing capabilities, emerging needs and areas where further collaboration could be developed.

Target Groups

• Defence and Security Industry: Prime contractors, system integrators, and SMEs active in defence technology, seeking to expand their participation in European cooperative programmes and EDF-funded consortia.
• Technology Companies and Startups: Greek and European companies in AI, cybersecurity, autonomous systems, space, advanced materials, and digital infrastructure, whose civilian products carry direct dual-use potential and are eligible for EUDIS, AGILE, and Horizon funding.
• Regional Technology and Innovation-Oriented SMEs: Companies based in Thessaly and other Greek regions active in sectors such as digital technologies, agri-food innovation, logistics, health technologies, advanced manufacturing, materials, cybersecurity and industrial applications, interested in exploring how their existing solutions may connect with dual-use opportunities and European cooperation schemes.
• Research Institutions and Universities: Academic and applied research organisations developing technologies with dual-use relevance, seeking pathways to translate research into European defence and security programmes.
• Government and Public Authorities: Representatives of national ministries, regional authorities, civil protection agencies, and critical infrastructure operators whose mandates intersect with the dual-use technology agenda.
• Investors and Innovation Ecosystem Actors: Venture capital, institutional investors, technology transfer offices, clusters, hubs, chambers, business associations, EDIHs, and innovation support organisations with interest in the rapidly expanding European defence innovation market.
• EU and Diplomatic Representatives: Officials from EU institutions, agencies, and delegations, as well as diplomatic missions with interest in European defence cooperation, technology partnerships, and the evolving European security architecture.