As announced, the Internacional Conference MILTEC24 – “Strengthening Defence: The role of innovation and emerging and disruptive technologies” took place at the Military University Institute (IUM), in Lisbon, on the 11th of July 2024, organized with the support on the Joint Staff of the Armed Forces.
This conference was hel under the High Patronage of the President of the Portuguese Republic, Professor Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.
The event registered a high number of registrations with attendees from the Governmental Bodies, Institutional Agencies, Armed Forces, Security Forces, Industry and Academia and Achieved all proposed objectives.
See below for a summary of the conference.
The Open Session counted with the participation of
Dr Ana Isabel Xavier, Secretary of State for National Defence
Vice Admiral Jorge Nobre de Sousa, 2nd Operational Commander of the Armed Forces
Lieutenant General Teodoro Hermínio Maio, Commandant of the Military University Institute (IUM)
Rear Admiral (Res) Mário Simões Marques, President of AFCEA Portugal
Keynote speech “The global geopolitical and strategic situation”
CAPT(N) João Fonseca Ribeiro, ObservatórioSecurity & Defence Observatory, SEDES Association
The speaker made an analysis and assessment of the current global geopolitical landscape and its implications for strategic defence and security decision-making context in NATO and EU.
Panel session “The roadmap for the next-generation capabilities in defence: the end-users’ perspectives”
This session was chaired by BGEN Rui Romão (Instituto Universitário Militar), and included presentations by LCdr Tiago Monteiro (Navy), Col Pedro Cruz (Army) and Col Carlos Batalha (Air Force).
The presentations provided insights on the Portuguese Armed Forces’ planned capabilities in the near future.
Keynote speech “The role of the European Defence Agency in the development of technology for the capabilities of the EU Armed Forces”
LtCol Mário Martinho, Research, Technology & Innovation Directorate, EDA
The speaker offered a view on EDA’s role in research, technology and innovation as key areas contributing to delivering European defence capabilities effectively, providing also insights in the European defence R&T priorities, cooperation opportunities and funding instruments.
Keynote speech “Empowering the national defence industry base: developing defence capabilities through strategic collaboration and technological innovation”
Dr. Miguel Pinto, Head of Knowledge Valorization, idD Portugal Defence
The speaker provided insights and perspectives on the critical role played by the national Defence Technological Industrial Base (DTIB) in advancing defence capabilities, addressing the Strategic Plan set to increase the Portuguese DTIB competitiveness.
Panel session “Presentations and debate showcasing use cases and applications of EDTs in warfare domains”
This session was chaired by RAdm Cancela Roque (EMGFA) and included:
Eng. Nuno Ruivo (INDRA – Sistemas Portugal)
Eng. Fernando Rio Maior (Hewlett Packard Enterprise Portugal)
Eng. João Manso (Redshift Consulting)
Eng. Pedro Costa (EID – Defence Communication Systems)
The MILTEC 24 sponsor companies offered a perspective on their Emergent and Disruptive Technologies portfolio regarding defence systems. The discussion evidenced the role of the national industry in developing innovative defence capabilities through strategic collaboration with end-uses.
Keynote speech “Strengthening EU Defence: achieving collective success through collaborative efforts”
MGen Erich Staudacher (General Manager of AFCEA Europe)
Offered insights and perspectives on the strategies, initiatives, and measures aimed at enhancing the defence capabilities of the EU and NATO through collaborative endeavours.
Keynote speech “The leading role of NATO in fostering innovation and technology development for defence”
Dr. Wojtek Strupczewski (NATO Innovation Fund)
Addressed examples of NATO initiatives, such as the Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA), and NIF that support the Alliance Members on developing the emerging and disruptive technologies required to keep NATO populations safe and secure.
Panel session “Success stories in dual use application projects”
This session was chaired by Dr. António Brás Monteiro (EUDIS DG-DEFIS ) and included:
Dr. Wilson Antunes (Army UMLDBQ)
Eng. Marco Manso (Particle Summary)
Dr. Jorge Duque (IAPMEI)
Dr. Catarina Bastos (Deimos Engenharia)
The panel members shared their experience in developing successful consortia, applications and projects that leverage dual-use technologies and capabilities – those with both civilian and military applications, addressing innovative solutions being developed for security & defence end-users.DR
Keynote speech “The European Defence Fund”
CAPT(N) Luís Arsénio (Directorate for National Defence Resources, Portuguese MoD)
Presented the EDF program and made a balance of the Portuguese participation in previous calls, since 2021.
Panel session “Success stories from the European Defence Fund”
This session was chaired by Dr. José Borges (AFCEA Portugal) and included:
Eng. Gilda Santos (CITEVE)
Eng. Matteo Merialdo (STARION)
Eng. José Neves (AED)
Maj Aires Carqueijo (AMIDA Project/PESCO)
The panel members shared their experience presenting several success stories from Armed Forces, Industry and Academia.
Keynote speech “The Horizon Europe Work Programme Cluster 3: Civil security for society”
Dr. Giannis Skiadaresis, DG HOME, European Commission
The Commission presented insights on the challenges arising from persistent security threats, including cybercrime, as well as natural and man-made disasters; the presentation also addressed the opportunities promoted by Cluster 3 for both academia and industry.
Panel session “Success stories from the European Defence Fund”
This session was chaired by Dr. Ana Sutcliffe (ANI) and included:
Eng. António Gaspar (INESC TEC)
Commissioner Sílvio Pires (PSP)
Dr. Vítor Reis (ENB)
Dr Giannis Skiadaresis (DG HOME)
The panel members shared their experience in projects run under the Horizon Europe Programme – Cluster 3: Civil Security for Society DR.
The Closing Session counted with the participation of
RAdm Mário Simões Marques (President of AFCEA Portugal)
MGen Erich Staudacher (General Manager of AFCEA Europe)
Dr. Ana Sutcliffe (ANI)
Cor (A) Abel Carvalho (EMGFA)
Networking during the coffee breaks and lunch
Visit of the Conference attendees to the Portuguese Armed Forces exhibition on Emerging and Disruptive technologies applied by the Navy (Army/Air Force) in military operations.
The MILTEC 24 International Conference registered a high number of registrations with attendees from the Governmental Bodies, Institutional Agencies, Armed Forces, Security Forces, Industry and Academia
