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New EU Action Plan: AI, semiconductors, and cybersecurity
On 22 February, the European Commission presented a new Action Plan on synergies between civil, defence and space industries. The document introduces the topic by referring to the car seat belt, which was invented by a Swedish engineer coming from the defence sector. Nils Ivar Bohlin got inspired by the ejector seats in fighter jets he had previously worked on. The European Commission intends to foster this kind of cross-fertilisation between civil, defence and space industries.
In this Action Plan, the European Commission reiterates its wish to achieve strategic autonomy for Europe. This includes strengthening Europe’s position in critical technology areas, such as AI, semiconductors, and cybersecurity.
The Action Plan explains that the EU must also look at:
-the value chains, including the security of supply of critical (raw) materials that are important building blocks of civil, defence and space critical technologies,
-related research and testing infrastructure, which is key for standardisation and certification.
This Action Plan is in line with the Commission’s plan to strengthen the microchip sector – in a context of global shortage. Member States already set up an Important Project of Common European Interest to support the sector. A new Industrial Alliance for chips will be created soon.
Critical technologies
In this Action Plan, critical technologies are defined as “technologies relevant across the defence, space and related civil industries and contribute to Europe’s technological sovereignty by reducing risks of overdependence on others for things we need the most.”
The Action Plan gives examples of such critical technologies:
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Sector
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Technologies
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Electronics & Digital
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-Artificial Intelligence, advanced analytics and big data
-Cybersecurity and cyber defence technologies
-Digital forensic technologies
-High-performance computing, cloud and data spaces
-Photonics
-Ultra-low power microprocessors, lightweight printed or flexible electronics
-Quantum technologies
-Secure communications and networking
-Sensors (including electro-optical, radar, chemical, biological, radiation, etc.)
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Manufacturing
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-Advanced and additive manufacturing
-Advanced materials technologies and sustainable materials by design
-Nanotechnologies
-Robotics
-Semiconductors and microelectronics
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Space & Aeronautics
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-Space technologies (including design and manufacturing of launchers and satellites)
-Secure precision timing, positioning and navigation technologies
-High-definition Earth Observation technologies
-Satellite-based secure communication and connectivity
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Health
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-Biotechnologies
-Chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear technologies
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Energy
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Energy technologies (including energy storage, energy resilience, renewables, hydrogen and nuclear)
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Mobility
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Autonomous systems
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The Commission will set up within its service an EU Observatory of Critical Technologies. The observatory will provide regular monitoring and analysis of critical technologies and related topics.
Every second year, the Observatory, in consultation with key stakeholders, will produce a classified report on critical technologies, dependencies, value chains and testing infrastructure for the defence, space and related civil industries.
On the basis of these reports, the Commission will develop technology roadmaps to stimulate cross-fertilisation between civil, defence and space industries.
Standardisation
The Commission wants to foster common standards across sectors (hybrid technological standards). This can include commonly agreed testing protocols.
Before the end of 2022, the Commission, in close cooperation with other key stakeholders, will present a plan to promote the use of existing hybrid civil/defence standards and the development of new ones.
The Action Plan also mentions the planned initiative -under the Digital Europe Programme- on a European Security Data Space, “which will contribute to the setting of quality standards at EU level”.
Innovation incubator & Defence Innovation networks
In the first half of 2022, the Commission will launch, in cooperation with the European Innovation Council and other stakeholders, an “innovation incubator” to support new technologies and shape dual-use innovation.
The Commission will also support cross-border defence innovation networks that will test the relevance of technologies from the civil sector and support responsible innovation in defence value chains.
Cybersecurity and AI: two promising areas
Cybersecurity and AI are mentioned as two promising areas for cross-fertilisation.
The document explains that the Cybersecurity Competence Centre (CCC) and its network will play a key role. It will manage the cybersecurity parts of the two funding programmes, Digital Europe and Horizon Europe. In parallel, the European Defence Fund will support the research and development of cyber defence solutions. The EU Space programme will also develop solutions for cybersecurity challenges (e.g. Galileo). The Commission intends to enhance synergies between these three spheres to reduce vulnerabilities and create efficiencies.
Disruptive technologies, including AI, will be supported by the European Defence Fund (up to 8% of its budget). Non-traditional defence players are welcome to answer these calls for proposal.
New flagship projects for drones, secure communications and Space Traffic management
The Commission announces that it launches three new flagship projects on:
-EU drone technologies
-EU space-based global secure communications system: “this flagship project aims at providing access to high-speed connectivity through a multi-orbit space infrastructure, including low earth orbit satellites, and complementing Galileo/EGNOS and Copernicus as the third EU satellite system. By integrating quantum encryption technologies, it will ensure highly secured connectivity and communication for governmental and commercial services (e.g. better connecting key infrastructure, supporting crisis management, surveillance[…]). It will enable access to high-speed connectivity for everyone in Europe, and provide a resilient connectivity system allowing Europe to remain connected whatever happens, including large-scale cyber-attacks on the internet.”
-EU strategy for Space Traffic Management
Gender balance
The Action Plan underlines that women are under-represented in the defence and security sectors. Diversity is an important factor to stimulate innovation, hence it is important to promote a stronger involvement of women and other under-represented groups.
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