The Security and Defence Agenda 2027
Subject to changes in timing and content.
Program
Monday, January 25, 2027, Kick-off event: Space: the special dimension
- 2:00 PM: Check-in
- 3:00 PM: Welcome and program
- 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM: Get-together at the conference hotel
For the third time, “Space: the special dimension” will kick off the Handelsblatt conference “Security and Defense”.
For half a day, leading voices from the German Armed Forces, politics, (New Space) industry and science discuss Germany's and Europe's ambitious plans for greater sovereignty in space defense capabilities and how these can be improved through the interaction of the various players. can.
The event concludes with the popular and established get-together at the conference hotel.
Everyone working together a little, or everyone for themselves? How will Europe position itself in space in the future?
Europe must cooperate more closely in space while simultaneously securing its own capabilities.
How can common interests, national priorities and industrial partnerships be balanced in the future?
Representatives from politics and the space industry in consultation
Satellite constellations and SPOCK 2: Ambitious plans put to the reality check
The German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr) intend to massively expand their capabilities in space. What prerequisites must be met for this to be implemented, and how capable is industry of supplying the necessary components?
Representatives of the CIR command, the space industry, and science in consultation
Big plans, few rockets: How and by whom will the planned constellations be deployed in the future?
New space capabilities require reliable launch options and sufficient available launch capacity. How realistic is a robust European access to space?
Representatives of the space industry in consultation
Big money, big tasks: How can space capabilities be industrialized?
Investments alone do not create operational space capabilities: Scalable production, resilient supply chains and clear priorities are crucial.
Representatives of the space industry and politics in consultation
Get-Together
Afterwards, we invite all speakers and participants to a get-together with good conversation, drinks and snacks at the conference hotel.
Tuesday, January 26, 2027, First day of the conference
- 8:00 AM: Check-in
- 9:00 a.m.: Start of the program
- 1 p.m.: Networking Lunch
- 6:30 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.: Dinner event
Representatives of the Federal Ministry of Defence in consultation
Five years of a turning point: How capable of defending themselves and acting will Germany and Europe be in January 2027?
Five years after Russia's attack on Ukraine, the security and defense policy situation in Germany and Europe is more complex than ever. What has been achieved in these five years of change, and what could be a strategic vision for the coming years?
Representatives from politics, think tanks and the military in consultation
Air defense in transition: What does Germany need – and with which partners?
The requirements for air defense are changing rapidly. Which capabilities are now a priority and how can they be achieved?
Handelsblatt editorial team in conversation with:
Handelsblatt editorial team in conversation with
Established corporations, neo-primes and new players: How is the defense market reorganizing itself?
Handelsblatt editorial team in conversation with:
Investor and other industry representatives in consultation
Five years of a turning point in procurement: Interim assessment and outlook
Frank Specht in conversation with
Battlefield of the future: Requirements for the land dimension
Technological and operational changes are placing new demands on the land forces. The focus is on which capabilities will be needed in the future and how industry and the Bundeswehr can jointly contribute to their development.
Handelsblatt editorial team in conversation with:
Army representatives in consultation
Four parallel deep dive sessions
The deep-dive sessions move from the main stage into smaller, more interactive groups: Experts share their knowledge on specialized topics such as defense financing, investments in defense, personnel strategies in the defense industry, and much more.
Industrial capacity building: European sovereignty or international partnership?
Europe must strengthen its industrial supply capabilities while simultaneously deciding where international partnerships make sense. The discussion explores how sovereignty, speed, and reliable cooperation can be combined in capacity building.
Handelsblatt editorial team in conversation with:
Representatives of the defense industry in consultation
State intervention, debt, special funds
How can the necessary investments in security and defense be financed sustainably? What role can and should the state play?
Representatives of the Federal Ministry of Finance in consultation
Armaments, resilience and reforms: How long will societal and political support last?
Defense capability requires political resolve and societal support. But how can this be maintained and, ideally, strengthened in times of tight budgets, hybrid threats, and societal upheaval?
Speakers by arrangement
Exclusive evening event
Afterwards, we cordially invite all speakers and participants to round off the evening in an exclusive setting in Berlin.
Wednesday, January 27, 2027, Second day of the conference
- 9:00 AM: Program
- 1:30 p.m.: Networking Lunch
- 2:30 p.m.: End of the conference
AI race as a geopolitical challenge
The global race for artificial intelligence has long since become a geopolitical and security policy issue. Where does Europe stand in this race, and what does that mean for its military applications?
Representatives from the military, politics, and science in consultation
Humanoid robotics: What's behind the hype?
Visionaries in consultation
Larissa Holzki in conversation with
Software, cloud computing and military data: How can Europe remain sovereign and NATO-capable?
Larissa Holzki in conversation with:
Another speaker to be arranged
Four parallel deep dive sessions
The deep-dive sessions move from the main stage into smaller, more interactive groups: Experts share their knowledge on specialized topics such as defense financing, investments in defense, personnel strategies in the defense industry, and much more.
Representatives of the Federal Ministry of the Interior in consultation
HRI study on Total Defence
What economic and social conditions are needed for comprehensive defense and crisis preparedness?
Critical infrastructure, cyberattacks and sabotage: How resilient is Germany?
Representatives of the BND and other speakers in consultation
Deterrence 2.0: Politics, economy, society, military – how do we create a shared responsibility?
Deterrence is not solely a military task, but relies on the interplay of politics, economics, and society. How can shared responsibility be translated into concrete preventative measures, resilient structures, and credible capacity for action?
Representatives of the Federal Ministry of the Interior, the German Armed Forces and industry in consultation
