Europe is facing a turning point in security policy. The geopolitical upheavals of recent years have clearly shown that defense capability, industrial performance and economic resilience are inextricably linked. Security is no longer an isolated military issue – it has become a central factor for technological sovereignty, innovative strength and economic stability.
Against this background, the Conference “Armaments as an economic factor” decision-makers from politics, business, industry, the armed forces and research to the Arcotel Kaiserwasser in Vienna on March 26. The aim of the event is to build bridges: between the civilian economy and the defense sector, between the political framework and technological implementation, and between innovation and social responsibility.
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Defense industry as a driver of innovation
The conference will focus on the question of how Austria and Europe can strengthen their industrial base in the security and defense sector. The defence industry plays a key role in this: it not only ensures military capability, but is increasingly acting as a driver for high technology, digitalization and research.
What was long considered a closed market is increasingly developing into an open innovation space. Traditional industrial companies, start-ups and technology providers are encountering new requirements – and new opportunities. Whether material technologies, drone and sensor systems, communication, data analysis, artificial intelligence or energy supply: The interfaces between the civilian economy and the defense sector are growing dynamically.
Top-class speakers and a wide range of topics
The thematic spectrum of the conference is correspondingly broad – and the list of speakers is just as high-caliber. In his opening statement, Lieutenant General Harald Vodosek, Head of the Armaments Directorate in the Ministry of Defense, will discuss Austria’s armaments strategy and industrial cooperation to strengthen the domestic economy (-> Lieutenant General Vodosek in an interview with Militär Aktuell).
The former Chief of the General Staff and former Chairman of the Military Committee of the European Union, General Robert Brieger, sheds light on the current geopolitical tensions and their impact on Europe’s security.
Other articles are dedicated to topics such as:
- HR and recruiting in the industrial and defense sector (David Ertler, Ertler Executive, -> Interview with Militär Aktuell),
- Security policy analyses from a European perspective (Michael Zinkanell, AIES, -> Interview with Militär Aktuell),
- industrial and strategic consulting (Bernhard Pöltl, T60 Consulting),
- international defense cooperation (Benjamin Schuhmann, General Atomics Aero Systems).
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A panel discussion will also bring together representatives from politics, industry and administration, including Florian Frauscher (Head of Section I, Federal Ministry of Labor and Economics), Alexander Liess (Chief Commercial Officer, Steyr Arms) and Lieutenant General Harald Vodosek.
Another focus will be on the protection of critical infrastructure. Thomas Pfeiffer (Linz Netz), blackout expert Herbert Saurugg, retired Brigadier Walter Unger (former cyber defense of the Ministry of Defense), Jürgen Dachauer (Directorate of State Security and Intelligence Service), Peter Uher (A1 Telekom) and Thomas Feßl (Austrian Federal Economic Chamber) will be among those discussing this topic.
The perspective of traditional industrial companies, which move between civilian roots and new security-relevant markets, is also examined – including with Norbert Frischauf (space expert, -> Interview with Militär Aktuell), Claus Zeppelzauer (ecoplus) and Günter Grabher (CFO Grabher Group).
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The event will conclude with a get-together from 5 p.m., which will provide space for networking and in-depth discussions.
Bonus for readers of Militär Aktuell
Readers of Militär Aktuell are entitled to a 20 percent discount on the current registration fee. When registration simply enter the code “Militär aktuell”.
