BLUF:
The EU’s dual-use export regulation hasn’t kept pace with the weaponization of civilian tech in Ukraine, drone SMEs say. The law’s thresholds are precise and processes run smoothly, but they require technical expertise from exporters and officials. The mechanism to ‘catch’ unlisted goods with military uses is difficult to enforce and relies largely on companies’ good faith. Moreover, national-level application of the regulation differs across the EU.
The Belgian, Dutch and Luxembourgish defense industries agree to team up for European drone procurement. They hope it will give Benelux competitors, especially smaller and emerging ones, an edge in European and international markets.
Finnish startup PTI Robotics is preparing to launch Provider: a heavy-duty, petrol-powered, unmanned ground vehicle designed to operate in extreme conditions—such as the Arctic Circle and hot sandy deserts. The company has already sold prototypes and plans an official launch next month.
The European Parliament last week gave its final approval to a slew of legal amendments intended to streamline existing EU defense laws, including the Defence Procurement Directive, the Transfer Directive on intra-EU defense shipments and the European Defence Fund.
The 6th European Defence & Security Conference (EDSC) brings together senior policymakers, military leaders, industry executives and experts to discuss the future of Europe's defence and security.
Taking place at Brussels' historic Egmont Palace on 29 October, the Conference serves as an independent platform for dialogue on the strategic, technological and industrial challenges shaping European defence cooperation. Since 2021, EDSC has fostered meaningful exchanges among key stakeholders, supporting Europe's ambition to strengthen its defence capabilities and strategic autonomy, and build a more secure and resilient future. More than 800 participants are expected to attend this year's edition.
Check out the programme and the invited speakers, and register here.
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The gaps in EU dual-use export controls
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1. Benelux defense industries to cooperate on drone procurement
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Commander Arlo Abrahamson has been appointed head of public affairs at United States European Command, the Stuttgart-based unified combatant command for U.S. forces in Europe. The naval officer was previously spokesperson for NATO Maritime Command in Middlesex, southeast England.
Patrik Geyer, vice president of global affairs at Finnish defense startup NestAI, has been appointed chair of the AI and Geopolitics Working Group at Finland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Christian Prinz zu Waldeck und Pyrmont has been appointed head of business development and operations at German drone startup Autonomous Teaming. He was previously a “founder’s associate.”
General Carsten Breuer, head of the German Bundeswehr, has been elected chair of NATO’s Military Committee.
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European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen endorsed the idea of a European Security Council in her ‘state of the union’ address to the European Parliament on 16 September, Reuters reports.
The Commission has released a €3.3 billion loan for Ukraine to spend on defense, including PAC-3 missiles for Patriot air defense systems, von der Leyen announced on 18 September.
The head of Norwegian-Finnish ammunition manufacturer Nammo, Morten Brandtzæg, has warned the European defense industry not to cut ties with the U.S., the Financial Times reports.
Ford of Britain wants its historic car factory in Dagenham, East London, to produce the replacement for the British Army’s Land Rover Wolf, in a £2.5 billion (€2.9 billion) procurement by the country’s defense ministry, The Times reports.
NATO’s Defense Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA), which supports defense startups, has announced the first 24 investors to join its Capital Network program for scaling-up small companies.
