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Roadmap on critical technologies for security and defence
The European Commission underlines that many critical technologies for security and defence increasingly originate in the civilian domain. Critical components are of a dual-use nature. A better exchange between civilian and defence research and innovation communities is needed. The Commission notes in particular that closer links between cybersecurity and cyber defence are needed.
The Commission further explains that the defence sector shares the same strategic dependencies and vulnerabilities as other sensitive ecosystems, “notably as regards technology gaps, raw materials, skills, low RTD&I investment, and extra-territorial regulations by non-EU countries”. This observation is particularly true for autonomous systems and semiconductors.
In 2022, the Commission will establish an expert group to facilitate exchanges with Member States on critical technologies, value and supply chains. By the end of 2022, and every following year, the Commission will present to Member States a classified report on critical technologies and risks associated with strategic dependencies affecting security, space and defence.
Furthermore, the European Commission would like EU funding programmes to address dual-use cases. In 2023, the Commission will prepare an approach for encouraging dual-use RTD&I at the EU level.
The European Commission also wants to support security and defence innovation and entrepreneurship. It intends to put in place a series of new tools, for instance, an investment blending facility that would facilitate SME’s access to finance. In 2022, the European Commission will set up an innovation incubator to support the development of new technologies and bridge the gap between the civilian and defence sectors.
The European Commission mentions the existence of other tools that can also support its objectives in the defence sector. This is the case, for instance, of the Semiconductor Alliance and the European Chips Act. The Commission is exploring the possibility of adding defence work strands in existing alliances.
Regarding standardisation, the Commission notes that 80% of standards used in defence come from civilian sectors. The Commission wants to promote the use of existing hybrid civil/defence standards and the development of new ones. The Commission will consider including defence requirements in future standardisation efforts.
Communication: Commission contribution to European defence
The Commission believes that the European defence must make a quantum leap. It also notes that threats to EU’s security increasingly take the shape of cyber-attacks targeting critical entities.
The EU must develop, procure and operate military equipment together. The Commission mentions the European Defence Fund (EDF) with a budget close to 8 billion euros for 2021-2027. The EU will incentivise the joint procurement of European defence capabilities to increase the interoperability of national armed forces.
Enhancing cybersecurity and cyber-defence is one of the primary objectives of the Commission. “We need to boost cybersecurity and cyber defence in Europe by strengthening our cooperation, by investing more effectively into advanced capabilities, and by setting appropriate rules that will allow for better linkage of all the dimensions of cyber”. The Commission has already dedicated 38,6 million euros to six cyber defence projects (in the framework of the EDIDP, predecessor of the EDF). Cyber defence will remain a priority of the EDF in the coming years.
In addition, the Commission is working with Member States to establish cross-border platforms to share cybersecurity threat intelligence (EU SOCs). A call for tender will be launched to develop and operate EU SOCs.
In 2022, the Commission will propose a Strategic agenda for the Cybersecurity Competence Centre, including dual-use technology and civil-military synergies.
Proposal establishing the Union Secure Connectivity Programme for 2023-2027
The proposal has two main objectives:
-to ensure the long-term availability of worldwide uninterrupted access to secure satellite communication services to governmental users. It will support the protection of critical infrastructures, surveillance, external actions, crisis management and applications that are critical for Member States’ economy, security and defence
-to allow for the provision of commercial services by the private sector
More specifically, the Programme will develop, build and operate a multiorbital connectivity infrastructure. It will also contribute to cyber resilience by the proactive and reactive defence against cyber and electromagnetic threats and operational cybersecurity. It will notably integrate the space and related ground segment of the European Quantum Communication Infrastructure to enable secure transmission of cryptographic keys.
The EU contribution for the Programme (2022-2027) is 2,4 billion euros. The total cost is estimated to 6 billion euros. Additional funding will come from Member States and private sector investments.
The European Commission has also published a Communication on Space Traffic Management.
If you have any questions on this topic, please contact Camille Dornier - Policy Manager: camille.dornier@eurosmart.com
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