EU Defence RTI Directors’ Meeting

The EU Defence Research, Technology and Innovation Directors’ Meeting (EU Defence RTI Directors’ Meeting) represents the highest strategic level of dialogue within Slovenia’s Strategic Initiative – Redefining Energy Resilience as a Key Defence Capability.

The three-day meeting, taking place from 10 to 12 November 2026 in Ljubljana and Celje, is organised by the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Slovenia (Si MoD) in cooperation with the European Defence Agency (EDA). It will bring together Defence Research, Technology and Innovation Directors from EU Member States, representatives of Ministries of Defence, the European Defence Agency, the European Commission, and other invited participants.

The meeting will provide a platform for a strategic exchange of views on the future role of energy resilience as a key defence capability and on the contribution of research, technology and innovation to its development. Particular attention will be given to future defence capability needs, emerging operational, technological and research priorities, national approaches, and opportunities for strengthened cooperation among EU Member States.

A key part of the programme will be a visit to Defense Exhibition and Conference SIDEC 2026 in Celje, connecting the Directors’ strategic dialogue with concrete European research and development projects, technological solutions and the wider defence innovation ecosystem. SIDEC will thus provide an environment where strategic discussions on future defence capability needs are directly linked to the development and presentation of solutions that can contribute to meeting those needs.

As part of SIDEC 2026, participants will attend the International Expert Panel “Redefining Energy Resilience as a Key Defence Capability”, presentations of European collaborative projects and technology demonstrations, and engage with representatives of Ministries of Defence, industry, research organisations and other stakeholders from the European defence research and innovation ecosystem.

The visit will also include a guided tour of the joint SiEnE | Si MoD exhibition space, where participants will gain first-hand insight into technological solutions, R&D projects and approaches in the field of energy resilience.