Europe’s defence landscape is being reshaped by war, innovation and geopolitical competition. The “Defence, Investment and Innovation” programme at the Centre for Security, Diplomacy and Strategy (CSDS) is designed to make sense of this transformation by focusing on how governments and institutions translate defence investments into credible military capability and a robust defence sector. The programme analyses defence strategy, capability development and industrial policy, while also confronting the structural constraints that define Europe as a defence actor. Such constraints include the trade-offs between dependencies and autonomy and short- vs long-term investments. As Europe increases its defence expenditures, there is a need to analyse supply chain vulnerabilities and the growing importance of dual-use and emerging technologies.

By drawing on its wealth of academic expertise and its extensive policy networks in Brussels and beyond, the programme will engage with research through policy- and scholarly-relevant analysis, provide a policy platform and leverage its location in Brussels to analyse defence, investments and innovation, lead on projects that help shape policy thinking in Brussels and work with global partners on common strategic projects of interest. By bringing together policymakers, industry stakeholders and researchers, the programme offers a forum for understanding how Europe can spend better, cooperate more effectively and adapt its defence posture to an era of geopolitical competition.

For more information on the Defence, Investment and Innovation programme, please contact Prof Dr Daniel Fiott.