Smart Defence – Smart TADIC
In the context of the ''Smart Defence'' initiative - making better use of available resources - the 2011 conference on Trans-Atlantic Defence Technological and Industrial Cooperation (TADIC) took place on 14 October at NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium.
More than 150 National Armaments Directors, senior experts from governments, industry and academia from both sides of the Atlantic as well as representatives from the European Defence Agency and European Commission gathered to look into the regulatory frameworks that govern defence trade on both sides of the Atlantic. The event supported of the numerous multinational approaches initiatives addressing the design, development, acquisition, maintenance and disposal of defence assets for current and future operations in a true life cycle approach to capability delivery.
Assistant Secretary General for Defence Investment Patrick Auroy opens the conference
Held under the direction of the Conference of National Armaments Directors (CNAD), and chaired by NATO's Assistant Secretary General for Defence Investment Mr. Patrick Auroy, the aim of the Conference was to identify specific and practical ways to strengthen trans-Atlantic defence, technological and industrial cooperation within the evolving framework of defence trade developments and to set out what is necessary for successful cooperation in defence capability development and delivery.
Two panels, moderated by Mr Robert Bell and Mr Jean Fournet, former Assistant Secretary Generals for Defence Investment and Public Diplomacy respectively, discussed, “The greater than ever imperative for increased Alliance Trans-Atlantic Defence Technological and Industrial Cooperation in an era of ‘Smart Defence’” and “Delivering Alliance Capability: lessons learned and future prospects for Trans-Atlantic programmes”.
NIAG representatives will develop the recommendations and proposals for the way forward discussed at the conference and submit these to the CNAD before the end of this year.
The conference was organised by NATO’s Defence Investment Division and the NATO Industrial Advisory Group.