Behind us is the side event of the Munich Security Conference 2026, “The Munich Security Conference 2026”, organized by Łukasiewicz – ITECH and the European University Institute on the initiative of Prof. Monika Sus (Polish Academy of Sciences) and the director of our Institute – Dr. Michal Matlak.
The purpose of the conversation, which was attended by 25 politicians, think-tank heads and officials, was to answer the question: how can Europe sustain high defense spending in the long term, and what is the role of industry in this?
We talked about the need for a new social contract that would take into account the completely new situation in Europe.
Our guests included, among others, Michał Baranowski, Tobias Bunde, Boguslaw Chrabota, Ivan Krastev, Bartłomiej Kot, Elena Lazarou, Hiski Haukkala, Agnieszka Homańska, Dr. Zanda Kalnina-Lukasevica, Sylvie Matelly, Agnieszka Pomaska, Jana Puglierin, Michał Szczerba, Anna Wieslander, Cornelia Woll.
Here are some conclusions:
1. we need a republican approach to defense
In Finland, it is believed that there is a greater willingness to support the defense effort when one also participates actively, through compulsory military service: the state should first and foremost be defended by its citizens.
2. the need for a new approach to technology in Europe
A change in thinking about technology is needed: military power is increasingly based on technological superiority, in which Europe has lost its leadership position. This means building new partnerships and increasing investment in research into security technologies and dual-use solutions, and dramatically accelerating their transfer to the economy.
3 Europe’s structural dilemma – how the single market should work in the defense area
How to reconcile the principles of the single market with the national character of defense industries? High competition may weaken the capabilities of member states with weaker defense sectors, but restricting the single market leads to fragmentation.
4. question about Germany
Germany’s defense budget will exceed the combined defense budgets of France and the UK: how will it be spent? Will the level of this spending hold up if a party that promotes a quick deal with Russia comes to power?
More debates on the triangle: politics – defense industry – society are coming soon under the EU Security Initiative.
