What is the role of technology in defense? Karen Florschütz, Executive Vice President of Connected Intelligence at Airbus Defence and Space, discusses the role of innovation in modern military strategies.
Interviewed by Klara Marie Schroeder
Connectivity and data sharing have always played a key role in coordinating military forces. Yet, these trends have accelerated massively in recent years. The security landscape has fundamentally shifted since 2022. The Russia-Ukraine war, in particular, has highlighted security challenges that demand a holistic response in the sense of a comprehensive approach to cope with the challenges of total defense. Just recently, the US suspended its military aid to Ukraine, and connectivity and data-sharing solutions are not out of the question. This makes it all the more important for Europe to demonstrate and further develop its own capabilities.
Multi-domain operations, which define modern military and defense strategies, require interoperability between military and civilian institutions. To achieve this interoperability, connectivity and data sharing are critical for building essential capabilities such as AI, communication networks, space-based assets, and cloud architectures. Furthermore, we see growing interlinkages between the deployments in the commercial and military sectors.
At Airbus Defense and Space, we aim to be at the forefront of these trends. By modernizing the military battlespace, our Multi-Domain Combat Cloud is designed to enhance the future of warfare in a digitalized world where the lines of military and civilian defense are blurring. Airbus` Multi-Domain Combat Cloud enables connectivity and collaboration across all military and civilian spheres.
Today, we cannot clearly differentiate between purely business, political, or military tasks anymore – there are many challenges that impact all areas. An integrated approach is essential to strengthen our defense and public security at every level.
Before we enter the discussion, I believe it is important to clarify what AI is good for. Most prominently, it automates or expedites processes. At the same time, expectations are high that AI will reduce personnel workloads, allowing them to focus on key tasks while minimizing human error.
In essence, AI is needed to accelerate and improve military operational cycles. For me, AI is also a key enabler for converting information superiority into decision superiority on the battlefield. It supports military users by enhancing situational awareness and providing high-quality, real-time decision-making support.
However, these advancements raise significant strategic and ethical concerns - a reality we also have to confront. At Airbus, human oversight remains essential to ensure ethical and safe AI development, enabling intervention when necessary. We firmly believe there must always be a human involved.
While investment in AI is crucial, excessive regulations like the EU AI Act risk stifling European competitiveness - especially as other regions adopt more flexible frameworks. Balancing regulation and innovation is key to shaping AI's role in future warfare.
Overall, in Europe, we lack joint ambition in AI, particularly in the defense sector. We urgently need a joint European framework for testing, advancing, and applying new technologies. Simply put, innovations are critical to future defense capabilities. We must invest aggressively while avoiding self-imposed constraints from overly burdensome regulations like the EU AI Act.
Europe must strengthen its technological capabilities and drive competitiveness through collaboration - not fragmentation. The strategic importance of AI and software in modern defense technology is growing rapidly – it is increasingly decisive for military superiority and national security. It is therefore important that Europe gains independence, if not superiority, in AI technologies within the next three to five years.
Airbus Defense and Space has been using AI technologies for a long time; our strong focus has always been on applying AI directly in the military decision-making process. Recent geopolitical uncertainties - including questions about future US support within NATO and Article 5 commitments - underscore Europe's responsibility to take the driver's seat in disruptive technologies. Sovereignty in defense AI is not optional; it is existential. We need clarity of purpose, strategic alignment, and a united European ecosystem to secure our future.
We need to know what we are doing – and we need to do it together, now!
Dual-use technologies are - and will remain - critical to European security, particularly in fostering strong synergies between civilian and military domains like in space. To fully realize their potential, substantial investments are required to ensure robust, high-performance solutions. Equally vital is pooling resources and coordinating procurement efforts across space, defense, and security sectors - maximizing cost efficiency while amplifying capabilities.
The key to leveraging dual-use synergies lies in prioritizing disruptive technologies that drive innovation and underpin European strategic autonomy. By integrating these dual-use advantages, Europe can strengthen its security while optimizing resource allocation across civilian and military applications.
The Future Combat Air System (FCAS) offers a pivotal opportunity to advance technological sovereignty and strengthen transnational cooperation. As the next generation of combat air systems, FCAS incorporates cutting-edge technologies - including a Combat Cloud for information superiority and a European sixth-generation fighter - ensuring superior reach, penetration, connectivity, and survivability. Beyond its military advantages, FCAS acts as a catalyst for technological development within the European defense sector. Programs like FCAS, Eurodrone, and projects on Multi-Domain Operations are essential for fostering innovation ecosystems and enabling the growth of startups and small- to medium-sized enterprises.
For Airbus, FCAS also plays a vital role in revitalizing the Franco-German partnership, which is critical to European stability and security. While FCAS has made significant progress, its continued success hinges on sustained political commitment and funding to advance into Phase 2. From both technological and industrial perspectives, FCAS represents one of Europe's last opportunities to close the gap with the US and other fast-developing nations like China, India, Korea, and Turkey, all of which are developing or have already deployed fifth-generation fighter aircraft.
For Airbus Defense and Space, protecting Europe - its values, freedom, and strategic autonomy - is both a privilege and a duty. To meet the challenges of today's and tomorrow's geopolitical changes, Europe must align its efforts quickly: secure funding for Phase 2, support the FCAS program unreservedly, rapidly develop the FCAS components to maturity, and collectively harness the ingenuity of the European defense industry, to sustain this momentum.
The European Union should focus on strengthening its defense capabilities and sovereignty. While we are part of NATO, we have not yet increased our spending, which is something we must address. The Munich Security Conference made this clear, especially through speeches highlighting the urgency of the issue. US Vice President J.D. Vance explicitly stated that Europe needs to step up. Now, the EU member states plan to meet in Brussels for an emergency summit to discuss support for Ukraine and the European Commission's billion-euro rearmament plan. To ensure our security, Europe must take action and work collaboratively on defense.
One key area is cooperation in procurement. Encouraging joint procurement and collective efforts on future programs among European countries can provide a competitive and autonomous advantage in both industrial and military sectors. Additionally, it is crucial to leverage Europe's economic and military power. We have strong industries, and we must recognize that our diplomatic influence is most effective when backed by military and economic strength. Europe excels in diplomacy, but we must integrate that with robust defense and financial power. Germany discusses loosening the debt brake on defense spending and setting up a special 500 billion Euro fund for investment: The German parties CDU/CSU and SPD are planning a U-turn on public finances.
In summary, the European Union should adapt its defense strategy by taking concrete steps to strengthen its military and economic power, build defense capabilities, and establish itself as a more credible and valuable team player in global affairs. Our current credibility is lacking, as was evident at the Munich Security Conference. We are not meeting our expected contributions, and this must change.
Airbus is, by nature, a European player with its four founding countries: Germany, France, the UK, and Spain. This multinational foundation gives us the experience to collaborate and navigate the complexities of different nations. Being a multinational company is valuable, as it supports the European vision and strengthens European interests moving forward.
At the same time, we maintain strong ties with our national customers, ensuring that we meet national program requirements and support them with our local workforce. Competitiveness remains a major challenge for European companies, particularly as the European economic policy shifts at both the national and European levels. While these changes are necessary and will continue, we must also ensure that European companies remain competitive - not only within Europe but also in relation to our US and Asian counterparts.
To improve, we need leaner regulations and a stronger focus on reducing the financial burdens that European enterprises face. Addressing these challenges will help European companies compete more effectively. Ultimately, being European is a strong asset, but national domains are also crucial. We must align these elements to position Europe as a fair and well-regarded partner in the long term.
Karen Florschütz is the Executive Vice-President of Connected Intelligence within Airbus Defence and Space and has been a Member of the Executive Committee of Airbus Defence and Space since February 2023. Before joining Airbus, she served as the Unit CEO for Customer Services at Siemens Digital Industries. She holds an MBA form Dartmouth University.
