The 2026 European Session of Armaments Officers (SERA37): A Deep Dive into Europe’s Defence Future

The 2026 edition of the European Session of Armaments Officers (SERA37) is a significant gathering that unites nearly 80 participants from 26 European countries, including Austria, Belgium, Croatia, and the United Kingdom. This diverse group also includes representatives from four major European institutions: the European Investment Bank (EIB), the European Commission’s Department for Economic and Monetary Affairs, DG DEFIS (Direction Générale de l’Industrie de Défense et de l’Espace), and the European Defence Agency (EDA).

Objectives of SERA37

Organized over four weeks across various European nations, SERA37 aims to achieve several key objectives:

• Deepening Understanding: The program seeks to enhance participants’ comprehension of current European defence issues.
• Encouraging Experience Sharing: It fosters dialogue between civilian and military managers, promoting the exchange of insights and strategies.
• Developing a Shared Vision: The session aims to cultivate a collective understanding of the continent’s industrial and capability challenges.

The overarching theme for this 37th edition is “Innovate, finance, scale up: building urgently Europe’s defence of tomorrow.” This theme is particularly relevant in today’s context, characterized by high-intensity warfare, rapid technological advancements, and the emergence of hybrid threats.

Week 1: Opening in France and Trip to Brussels

The inaugural week kicked off in France, featuring a keynote address from Engineer General Alexandre Lahousse, Deputy Director General of the French Defence Procurement Agency (DGA). He outlined the major capability and industrial challenges facing European defence.

Participants engaged in a series of conferences and discussions focused on innovation, financing, and industrial cooperation. The week culminated in Brussels, where attendees were welcomed by the EDA for insights into its missions and role in European capability cooperation. A high-level panel discussion included notable figures such as Baudouin Heuninckx from the EDA and Camille Grand from the Association of European Defence, Security and Aerospace Industries (ASD).

Additionally, participants had the unique opportunity to visit the European Council, gaining firsthand experience of the Union’s decision-making processes regarding security and defence.

Week 2: Immersion in Spain’s Defence and Innovation Ecosystem

From April 20 to 24, the program shifted to Madrid, allowing participants to delve deeper into Spain’s defence strategy and industrial dynamics. Hosted by the Directorate-General for Defence Industry Strategy and Innovation (DGEID) at the Centre for Advanced National Defence Studies (CESEDEN), the week was filled with discussions with key institutional and industrial players.

Meetings with defence industry associations TEDAE and AESMIDE provided valuable insights into Spain’s industrial ecosystem, its technological priorities, and its role in European defence cooperation. Participants also visited strategic sites, including the National Institute of Aerospace Technology (INTA), which showcased Spain’s capabilities in research and defence technologies.

The week concluded with a powerful address from María Amparo Valcarce García, Secretary of State for Defence, emphasizing the importance of collaboration among institutions, industry, and European stakeholders to tackle current defence challenges.

Week 3: A Week in the United Kingdom

The third week, from May 18 to 22, took place in the United Kingdom, where participants engaged in high-level conferences at the Defence Academy in Shrivenham and in London. Discussions revolved around the UK’s industrial and international cooperation strategies, the role of innovation in defence policy, and enhancing European collaboration.

A highlight of the week was a visit to the Harwell campus, dedicated to research and innovation, particularly in the space sector. Participants toured the European Space Agency (ESA) site and met with companies like Open Cosmos and Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL). This week provided a deeper understanding of the UK’s role within the European defence framework and the pressing need to innovate, finance, and scale up capabilities.

Week 4: Closing of SERA37 and Trip to Rennes

The final week, from June 22 to 26, featured a trip to Rennes, where participants explored the local digital technology ecosystem. Visits to various companies and the DGA MI site enriched their understanding of the technological landscape.

The week also included presentations of the committees’ work, attended by General Hervé de Courrèges, Director of the IHEDN, and other external guests. These presentations aimed to inform strategic thinking on the future of European defence, proposing ways to accelerate innovation, effectively fund capability priorities, and strengthen cooperation on armaments.

The program concluded with a closing lecture by General Engineer Gaël Diaz de Tuesta, the French National Director of Armaments, followed by the awarding of diplomas to participants.

A Shared Vision for the Future

Throughout these four weeks, SERA37 has successfully fostered a shared understanding among participants regarding the challenges of military capabilities, industrial cooperation, and defence funding. Each of the 76 attendees left with fresh insights and a renewed commitment to building the European defence of tomorrow.

As we look forward to the 38th edition of SERA, the lessons learned and connections made during this session will undoubtedly play a crucial role in shaping the future of European defence cooperation.