Ladies and gentlemen,

Europe’s security environment has changed fundamentally. Our approach to defence and preparedness must change with it. Resilience can no longer be built by governments and armed forces alone. It depends on a broader ecosystem that brings together industry, technology, research and critical infrastructure.

Preparedness starts long before a crisis. It is built through industrial capacity, technological capability, skilled people and resilient supply chains.

Modern defence increasingly draws on technologies developed far beyond the traditional defence sector – from artificial intelligence, cloud and cybersecurity to autonomous systems, advanced manufacturing and quantum technologies. Civilian companies therefore have an increasingly important role to play in strengthening Europe’s security and resilience.

The Czech Republic is well placed to contribute. We have a strong industrial base, deep engineering expertise and companies that compete successfully on global markets. But capability alone is not enough. We need an environment that allows innovation to move faster from development to deployment and enables Czech companies to participate fully in European and Allied projects.

The same challenge applies across Europe. Strengthening our defence and technological base requires more than higher spending. It also requires simpler rules, less red tape and more space for companies to innovate and scale. This is particularly true in the digital economy. Europe cannot afford to constrain the very technologies that will underpin both its future security and its competitiveness.

Future Forces Forum brings together the people who define our security needs with those who can turn them into technology, industrial capacity and real-world solutions. That cooperation is more important than ever.

I wish this year’s Future Forces Forum every success in creating new partnerships and practical solutions that strengthen the security, resilience and competitiveness of both the Czech Republic and Europe.