techUK’s Defence Delegation: Brussels

Last week (29-30 October), techUK delivered a defence focused delegation to Brussels. The programme, spanning over two days focused on strengthening members’ understanding of the EU Defence policy landscape and connecting with key decision makers. Taking place against the backdrop of the UK-EU Security and Defence Partnership signed in May 2025, the delegation provided members with valuable policy engagement and an increased understanding of the EU and NATO Defence ecosystem.

Delegation participants

Meetings on 29 October

Members started their day by meeting with Alberto Heras, Armament Counsellor at the Spanish Permanent Representation to the EU. Members had the opportunity to engage with a key EU Member State representative and discussed:

This was followed by a meeting with Anastasiia Kapranova, Advisor to the Deputy Minister of Defence of Ukraine for Digitalisation. Members were provided with a comprehensive overview of Ukraine’s impressive digitlisation efforts ranging from providing easy to use platforms for soldiers to receive relevant information, to working on building a secure cloud solution with varied industry partners.

Members subsequently had the opportunity to exchange with DIGTALEUROPE experts Ray Pinto, Senior Director, and Constantinos Hadjisavvas Director for Digital Resilience and Defence. Both provided an overview of DIGITALEUROPE’s engagement and upcoming key legislative developments at the EU level.

This was followed by a meeting with EU Commission Officials Michalis Ketselidis, Senior Expert, Defence Industry and Space, and Mr Diego de Ojeda Garcia-Pardo, Head of Unit SG.G.4 (Defence & Preparedness). Commission officials provided useful insights on the current state of UK-EU negotiations on access to SAFE funding opportunities.

The evening session was then kicked off with a high-level roundtable discussion on pan-European Defence hosted at the UK Ambassador’s Residence with opening words by UK Ambassador to the EU Lindsay Croisdale-Appleby, and Managing Director of Vanguard Europe, Dan Nechita. The roundtable was joined by key stakeholders from EU Permanent Representations to the EU, NATO, the European Parliament, and influential think tanks and trade associations.

The evening finished with a networking dinner allowing for the roundtable participants to continue the connect and continue to the conversation.

Meetings on 30 October

The day was focused on engaging with NATO HQ stakeholders. Members were greeted by James Pritchard Innovation and Team Leader at the UK Joint Delegation to NATO. The conversation covered many aspects from the UK's role in fostering industry engagement through initiatives like Diana and the NATO Innovation Fund, to the importance of dual-use technology and academic collaboration.

Delegation Members were subsequently joined by Megan Edwards: Head of Innovation Policy in Defence Industry, Innovation, and Armaments Division at NATO. Discussion looked into NATO's efforts to integrate emerging and disruptive technologies into defense systems. Key points included the importance of spending money on the right technologies, such as quantum and biotechnologies, and the need for rapid adoption through initiatives like the Rapid Adoption Action Plan.

Key takeaways

Next steps

techUK will use the connections made during the trip to further build and enhance its work in Brussels.

Connections between delegation members and the stakeholders met during the visit will be facilitated by techUK so as to explore next steps and build stronger connections.

techUK International Policy and Trade Programme activities

techUK supports members with their international trade plans and aspirations. We help members to understand market opportunities, tackle market access barriers, and build partnerships in their target market. Visit the programme page here.