DefenceTech
Autonomy, Resilience & Dual-Use Innovation

The global security landscape has shifted dramatically, and technology now sits at the centre of that transformation. Conflicts in Ukraine, the South China Sea and the Middle East have shown that autonomy, drones, AI-enabled targeting, electronic warfare and rapid-deployable energy systems are no longer theoretical concepts: they are decisive capabilities shaping real-world outcomes. At the same time, Europe is rethinking its defence industrial base, NATO is scaling its innovation agenda, and dual-use startups are emerging as critical contributors to resilience, deterrence and national competitiveness. The timing could not be more urgent, and the implications reach far beyond the battlefield: defence technology now influences cybersecurity, space infrastructure, logistics, energy independence and even civil emergency response.

 

For Athens Tech Summit, the DefenceTech track brings these realities to the forefront. Modern defence is fundamentally a technology problem: autonomy requires advanced sensing and AI; unmanned systems require novel materials and power systems; secure communications rely on quantum-safe protocols and space assets; and logistics efficiency depends on robotics, predictive analytics and resilient energy grids. These technologies spill over into civilian markets from drones used in agriculture and disaster relief, to cyber defences deployed in financial institutions, to battery systems powering smart cities. Defence and dual-use innovation are inseparable, and Europe’s future industrial strength will depend on how effectively it integrates them.

 

This track is designed to connect policymakers, founders, investors and practitioners in one place to explore the frontiers of modern defence. It offers a sober, informed look at where the technology is heading, how nations and industries must adapt, and where the investment opportunities truly lie. Defence technology is a central pillar of technological progress, economic resilience and geopolitical strategy. This is why ATS is giving it the space, attention and expertise it deserves.

 

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Keynote Speech 

14:00 – 14:30

“The Future of Defence: Autonomous Systems, AI Command, and the New Industrial Base”

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Session 1: Autonomy, AI, Drones & Battlefield Systems: What’s Ready Now and What’s Coming Next

14:30 – 16:00

 

This session takes a detailed look at the frontier of defencetech, with subjects including autonomous drones and AI-enabled targeting and decision-support; space-enabled defence; cyber-physical integration; tactical energy systems and robotics on the battlefield. 

4 speakers + question-and-answer session

 

Afternoon Coffee Break

16:00 – 16:30

 

Session 2: Investing in DefenceTech

 

This session introduces four investors in the sector and outlines their investment theses, priorities and key learning points. Some of the issues to be explored include:

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• The return of defence as a mainstream investment category

• Venture vs government vs strategic industry financing

• Dual-use pathways (civil > defence and defence > civil)

• Procurement bottlenecks 

• Building investable defence companies in Europe

• Ethics of defence investment 

 

4 speakers + question-and-answer session