Build Fast, Fund Smart, Fight Differently - Shaping the Defence Technology Landscape

How do defence planners navigate the dilemma between investing in next-generation technologies versus proven, traditional capabilities—and what are the risks of overcommitting to either path?What role should data infrastructure (e.g. battlefield cloud, satellite links, secure 5G) play in shaping the next generation of defence capabilities—and what are the risks of digital fragility?In a world where brute-force deterrence still matters, how should defence planners weigh investments in heavy, conventional assets versus sleek, next-generation technologies that promise speed, precision, and autonomy?We see a surge of investment flowing into defence tech, but with governments remaining the primary — and often only — customer, is there a risk of a bubble forming?Tomass Pildegovičs, Advisor to the Minister on Security and Societal Resilience, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of LatviaArmands Meirans, Head of R&D, LMT DefenceTimothy McGuire, European Lead - H4D, Common Mission ProjectWarren Low, Command, Control, and Communications Policies, Capabilities, and Industry Manager, NATO HQ SACTUģis Norītis, Undersecretary of State for Planning, Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Latvia