In December 2025, VIKI organised the second Technology and Defence: The Future of Warfare (TECHDEF25) conference, welcoming nearly 600 participants from government, academia and industry, both from Hungary and the international community. Over two days, the conference provided a structured professional framework for the discussion of strategic questions related to the future of defence and technology, while also supporting closer cooperation among the relevant stakeholders.
At the centre of TECHDEF25 was the renewal of professional dialogue. By bringing together participants from diverse disciplinary and institutional backgrounds, the conference functioned as a platform for the exchange of perspectives, the identification of shared challenges and the exploration of potential directions for cooperation.
Across both days, the main stage programme progressed from strategic thinking and foresight through innovation ecosystems and investment to questions of practical implementation. Keynotes and panel discussions addressed the transformation of defence organisations, developments in the global security environment, the evolving character of warfare and long-term technological trends. Subsequently, attention turned to applied research, dual-use technologies, defence export opportunities, the funding landscape and the conditions required for industrial-scale development.
Complementing the main stage programme, the workshops provided focused, interactive settings for the discussion of practical issues. Participants engaged with topics including cyber defence, artificial intelligence, autonomous and unmanned systems, climate security, defence procurement, EDF projects, as well as quantum- and blockchain-based applications.
The exhibition area served as a tangible showcase of defence innovation. Companies and research organisations presented real-world solutions, prototypes and applied research results, ranging from training and simulation technologies to AI-based decision support, autonomous and robotic systems, cyber and communication solutions, human performance enhancement, resilience, materials science, and space and quantum technologies.
The pitch and reverse pitch format was one of the conference’s key elements, creating direct interaction between the innovation community and industry stakeholders. Alongside presentations by developers and researchers, industry representatives articulated concrete capability needs and technological priorities, supporting better alignment between innovation efforts and operational requirements. In the context of the pitch session, a best pitch award was presented during the conference, which was awarded to Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary and Pharmahungary Group.
The success of TECHDEF25 was underpinned by the active professional engagement of its participants. Through the contributions of speakers, experts, exhibitors and attendees, the conference operated as a professional forum that supported knowledge sharing, strengthened networks and laid the groundwork for long-term cooperation.
At VIKI, our mission is to provide an institutional framework where research, industry and the user community can work together, and where professional dialogue is translated into practical outcomes. TECHDEF25 contributed to strengthening the defence innovation ecosystem and to shaping the future of defence in line with this mission.
