ENDR Conference Tampere 2025 – Rapid Civilian Innovation Development and Dual-Use in European Defence

The European Commission’s DG DEFIS, together with the Tampere Region Safety and Security Cluster under the framework of the European Network of Defence-related Regions (ENDR), invites you to Tampere, Finland, for a high-level European conference on 2–3 December 2025 at Tampere Hall.

Titled “Rapid Civilian Innovation Development and Dual-Use in European Defence”, the event will serve as a European forum for dual-use innovation. Tampere, recognised as the heartland of Finland’s defence industry and home to key units of the Finnish Defence Forces, leading companies, and research institutions, provides the ideal backdrop for this conference.

The programme will bring together industry leaders, researchers, policymakers, innovators, and end-users to explore how civilian innovation can strengthen European defence capabilities.

Thematic focus areas:

• Geopolitical Context: The impact of shifting global dynamics and regional security challenges on European defence strategies and innovation.
• Insights from Ukraine: Civilian technologies adapted for military use, offering lessons on resilience and hybrid warfare.
• Hybrid Warfare and Resilience: Cybersecurity, crisis management, supply chain robustness, and comprehensive security approaches.
• End-User Perspectives: The needs of military services and industry, and their influence on innovation and market dynamics.
• Industry and Academia Views: The role of research institutions, universities, and technology companies in advancing dual-use solutions.

Click here to register.  

Date: 2–3 December 2025
Venue: Tampere Hall, Tampere, Finland

Programme and Confirmed Speakers

(subject to updates)

2 December 2025 – Full-day plenary and networking

Geopolitical Context (Panel)

• TBC, European Commission (DG DEFIS)
• Esa Pulkkinen, Lieutenant General, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence of Finland

Insights from Ukraine

• Valeriia Soloviova, International Partnerships Manager, Come Back Alive
• Anastasiia Voitova, Head of Security Engineering, Cossack Labs
• Peter Salo, Finnish drone veteran from the Ukraine frontline
• Andriy Chulyk, CEO, Sine Engineering

Hybrid Warfare and Resilience

• Dr. Vesa Valtonen, Brigadier General, Finnish Defence Forces
• Dr. Daivis Petraitis, Baltic Defence College
• Dr. Viljar Veebel, Baltic Defence College and Latvian Institute of International Affairs
• Prof. Dr. Eugenijus Valatka, Rector, Kaunas University of Technology

Evening

• Networking reception and dinner

3 December 2025 – Half-day plenary and site visits

End-User Perspectives

• Lt. Gen. Jari Mikkonen, Deputy Chief of Staff, Armament and Logistics, Finnish Defence Forces
• Steen Søndergaard, NATO Chief Scientist
• Col. (ret.) Jyri Kosola, former Research Director, Finnish Defence Forces
• Enrico Annus, CSEL, Utti Jaeger Regiment, Finnish Defence Forces

Industry and Academia Views

• Kari Renko, Executive VP, Strategic Programs, Patria
• Tuure Lehtoranta, VP Sales and Marketing, Insta Group
• Jani Pelkonen, Head of Engineering, Saab Technology Center, Saab Finland
• Sirkku Linna, Director General, Ministry of Education and Culture, Finland
• Prof. Markku-Juhani Saarinen, Tampere University

Industry Pitching Session

• Open to European SMEs. Companies may register interest when signing up. Ten will be selected to pitch.

Site Visits

• Saab Technology Center
• Tampere University (with a focus on dual-use technologies and advanced chip development)

Event Host and Moderator

• Charly Salonius-Pasternak, CEO, Nordic West Office

Full programme and further updates available at  ENDR Conference Tampere 2025