About The Policy Dialogue
Europe's defence capabilities increasingly depend on secure and resilient access to critical raw materials. Materials such as beryllium, nickel and niobium play an indispensable role in advanced defence systems, aerospace technologies, communications infrastructure, sensors, guidance systems and next-generation military capabilities.
At a time of heightened geopolitical tensions, rising defence expenditure, and growing concerns about strategic dependencies, ensuring access to critical raw materials has become a core element of European security and defence policy.
This high-level policy dialogue aims to explore how Europe can strengthen the resilience of critical raw material supply chains that underpin defence capabilities and defence-industrial readiness.
The discussion will focus on:
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Strategic dependencies and supply-chain vulnerabilities;
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The role of critical raw materials in defence innovation and capability development;
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Strengthening Europe's defence industrial base through secure material access;
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Future EU priorities and targeted objectives for critical raw materials in the defence sector
Agenda
9:00 - 9:30 Registration
9:30 - 9:45 Opening and Keynotes
9:45 - 10:45 Panel 1
Critical Raw Materials as Enablers of Defence Innovation: From Material Performance to Next-Generation Capabilities
How does access to high-performance critical raw materials underpin defence innovation, shape R&D and procurement decisions, and determine Europe’s ability to develop next-generation defence capabilities?
10:45 - 11:15 Network Coffee
11:15 - 11:30 Keynote Introduction
11:30 - 12:30 Panel 2
Securing Supply Through a Coherent Approach
Strategic dependencies and geopolitical challenges; Defence industrial readiness and supply security; Future EU policy priorities; Targeted objectives for strengthening resilience; the effect of fragmented regulatory frameworks.
12:30 - 12:35 Closing
12:35 - 13:30 Network Buffet
Meet our speakers
Andreas Köster
President of Beryllium
Science & Technology
Association (BeST)
More speakers to be announced soon.