site.btaEU's Technological Autonomy Forum Agrees Europe Must Accelerate Defence Innovation, Reduce External Reliance, Coordinate Investments

The conference on Technological Autonomy of the EU: Strategies, Financing, and Implementation was held in Sofia on Wednesday. The forum was organized by the Sofia Security Forum and the Spanish Embassy to Sofia.

The concept of strategic autonomy for Europe is more relevant than ever, Sofia Security Forum President Yordan Bozhilov said at the opening of the forum. In his words, the debate on European autonomy is no longer an abstraction; it is a question of whether Europe will remain just a market or become a strategic player. "For Bulgaria, it is a question of whether we will remain on the periphery of these processes or actively participate in shaping the future of Europe," Bozhilov said.

Bulgaria has recently established a Defence Innovation Centre within Sofia Tech Park to promote dual-use technologies, international cooperation, and alignment with NATO and EU standards. The Defence Innovation Centre will ensure Bulgaria's strategic independence through research and development, Deputy Minister of Innovation and Growth Martin Danovski said. The Ministry of Innovation and Growth’s goal is to position Bulgaria not just as a participant, but as an important player in regional and global value chains.

Experts at the forum agreed that Europe must accelerate defence innovation, reduce reliance on external powers, and coordinate investments to achieve true technological autonomy. The participants in the conference stressed that this is no longer a theoretical debate but a strategic necessity with implications for both the EU’s global standing and internal security.

The war has exposed Europe’s vulnerabilities in defence, from fragmented markets to underinvestment. Miguel Alonso Berrio, Spanish Ambassador to Bulgaria, said that Europe lacks defence firms strong enough to compete globally.

Velizar Shalamanov, Director of Defence Policy at the Atlantic Club, emphasized that maintaining technological advantage is critical for freedom and security. He referenced the recent launch of Bulgaria's Defence Innovation Centre, highlighting the rapid pace of innovation seen in Ukraine and NATO's high expectations for agility.

Luis Enrique Moya Canovas, Indra Sistemas, pointed out the need for Europe to take greater responsibility for its defence amid growing security threats and declining U.S. commitment.

Boyan Mednikarov, EnduroSat advisor, warned of Europe’s reliance on U.S. satellite systems, urging EU states to build their own surveillance and command infrastructure before integrating regionally.

Gonzalo Leon Serrano, Foundation of Military Science and Arts, noted that upcoming EU budget constraints may hinder joint defence projects, making multi-country cooperation difficult.

Borislav Bankov, GATE Institute, praised Ukraine’s fast-paced innovation in cyber defence and highlighted how resource constraints in start-ups can actually drive creative, asymmetric solutions using existing technologies in new ways.