Webinar session: Smart Protection in Defense - Innovations in Smart Textiles

The European Combat Vessel (ECV) Industry Workshop will be organised by the seven EU Member States signatories of the ECV Letter of Intent (LOI), in cooperation with the European Defence Agency (EDA), following the publication of the ECV High-Level Requirements (HLR) and the Call for Papers addressed to European industry. The workshop will take place on 5–7 May 2026 at the Navantia Training Centre, San Fernando (Cádiz), Spain, and will be moderated by the SEA Europe. The event aims to gather input from European industry on the development of the European Combat Vessel (ECV) and to support stakeholder exchange contributing to the preparation of the ECV Business Case. The workshop will focus on: engaging the European defence industrial base in the development of the ECV Business Case based on the agreed High-Level Requirements reviewing the landscape and future evolution of the six ECV Work Packages over the next 5 and 10 years assessing progress in relevant Technology Building Blocks (TBBs) and their contribution to programme development, including through European funding instruments such as the European Defence Fund (EDF) exploring opportunities to establish dedicated Working Groups and potential industrial consortia supporting the implementation of the ECV programme roadmap Programme Overview The three-day workshop will include structured sessions dedicated to the six ECV Work Packages: 5 May 2026: Work Packages 1 and 2 6 May 2026: Work Packages 3 and 4 7 May 2026: Work Packages 5 and 6 Each day will include thematic working sessions moderated by SEA Europe consortium members, closing remarks by SEA Europe and EDA, and dedicated Member States-only government sessions. Key Information Date: 5–7 May 2026 Location: Navantia Training Centre, San Fernando (Cádiz), Spain Registration: Participants are requested to register by 22 April 2026 via the event registration form. Contact Should there be any questions or need for clarification do not hesitate to contact EDA PO Mr. Spyridon Mazarakis Spyridon.MAZARAKIS@eda.europa.eu, with copy to CAP@eda.europa.eu and Ms Paula.LASHERAS@eda.europa.eu.

ENDR Conference Gijón 2026 – Advanced Manufacturing and Systems Integration for a Strong Defence Industry Organised within the framework of the European Network of Defence-related Regions, the conference “Advanced Manufacturing and Systems Integration for a Strong Defence Industry” will be hosted by the Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space (DG DEFIS) together with Asturias Hub Defensa. The event will take place on 3–4 June 2026 at the Laboral Centro de Arte y Creación Industrial and will focus on the role of advanced manufacturing technologies and systems integration in strengthening Europe’s defence industrial capabilities and resilience. The programme will address topics including Industry 5.0, additive manufacturing, automation and robotics, digital modelling, artificial intelligence, supply chain resilience, and cooperation between industry, research organisations and public authorities. It will also highlight skills development initiatives and showcase innovative technology demonstrators relevant to defence applications. Preliminary Programme 3 June 2026: Opening session, plenary and thematic panels, institutional presentations, B2B meetings, exhibition and networking dinner 4 June 2026: Plenary sessions, thematic panels, B2B meetings, exhibition and industry showcases Key Information Date: 3–4 June 2026 Location: Laboral Centro de Arte y Creación Industrial, Gijón, Spain Further details on the agenda, speakers and registration soon. More info here!