A conference was held at Palazzo Farnese in Rome, organized by the company **Sopra Steria** **Italia** in collaboration with the **French Embassy**, which hosted and supported the event that analyzed the evolution of the Defense sector in Europe in light of continuous technological developments and recent geopolitical and military events.
Technological transformation is profoundly redefining the Defense sector, opening new scenarios for security, resilience, and industrial cooperation. In this context, the event _’Advanced technologies for defense: scenarios and opportunities’_, was held today promoted by Sopra Steria Italia in collaboration with the French Embassy, at Palazzo Farnese, which is home to the French Embassy in Italy.
In the presence of **Martin Briens,** **French Ambassador to Italy,** and **Hon.** **Nino Minardo,** **President of the Defense Commission of the Chamber,** the conference was opened by **Stefania Pompili,** **CEO of Sopra Steria Italia,** and **Christophe Eugene,** **Defence Advisor and Senior Defence Advisor at Sopra Steria**.
The Hon. **Nino Minardo,** President of the Defense Commission of the Chamber, stated, _’Advanced technologies are key not only for national security but also as drivers of innovation, research, and competitiveness for the entire nation. The Defense Commission has acted decisively: we have concluded the investigation into cyber defense, proposing the creation of a unified command managed and coordinated by Defense to intervene against attacks, and we are already committed in parliament to redesigning the regulatory framework for Cybersecurity. We have also launched an investigation into quantum technologies to understand their extraordinary opportunities and risks for cryptographic networks. Our strategic goal is to transform these emerging technologies into factors of development, capable of producing positive effects on society and the economy. Only by integrating all dimensions of security – cyber, physical, space, and health – and valorizing our skills, can we build a modern and sustainable defense, capable of significantly contributing to the great dream of European Defense’._
**Roberto Balzerani,** **Director PA, Energy & Telco and Innovation Manager at Sopra Steria Italia,** commented, _’In the defense sector, technological transformation is a critical competitiveness and security factor. The evolution of C5I systems, strategic data utilization, artificial intelligence, and cyber resilience are reshaping the operational capabilities of countries and alliances. For Sopra Steria, defense is an area where we can leverage our integrated approach – technological, organizational, and advisory – in support of a supply chain that requires high standards, interoperability, and solid governance. We work to accompany institutions and industry on paths of sustainable innovation, contributing to strengthen digital sovereignty and national security in a European context that requires cooperation and long-term vision.’._
Closing the conference, **Martin Briens,** **French Ambassador to Italy,** recalled that _’in the French National Strategic Review presented by President Macron on July 13, the changing nature of conflicts with the use of new technologies, in particular with the development of hybrid warfare and cyber attacks’._ He emphasized the need to balance innovation and regulation in modernizing our armed forces, applauding the partnership with Sopra Steria whose today’s seminar _’advances on this subject by comparing the visions of Italian and European institutional representatives, industry, and the world of research.’_
The initiative is part of **Sopra Steria**’s strategy to strengthen the culture of responsible innovation and support digital transformation in strategic sectors, thanks to the promotion of integrated technological solutions that contribute to national security, industrial cooperation, and strategic sustainability.
In the context of defense digitization, **Sopra Steria** proposes an approach that integrates various strategic priorities starting from the need to develop shared capacities. The key role of an **European Defence Data Space** was highlighted, understood as a federated environment that allows Member States to exchange data securely, without giving up control over their information, for the benefit of advanced C2 systems, AI training, and predictive maintenance. A second central theme concerns the modernization of **Command and Control** systems, which require open, modular platforms integrated with artificial intelligence to support quick decisions in multi-domain scenarios. Sopra Steria finally emphasized the importance of a use-case driven approach to direct investments in critical areas like sovereign AI, secure European clouds, and quantum solutions, to be integrated into a truly federated ecosystem capable of enhancing existing excellence.
The event brought together leading figures from the Italian Armed Forces, including Rear Admiral Enrico Vignola, Head of the 3rd Department of the Naval Staff and Major General Luciano Antoci, Head of the VI Department of the General Command for Digital Transformation and Communication (C4) of the Italian Army, from the industrial and technological world including managers from Leonardo and Fincantieri, and from the space sector to reflect on the opportunities offered by digital technologies, from artificial intelligence to cybersecurity, from C5I systems to Earth observation, as tools to strengthen the resilience of defense systems and accelerate the adoption of enabling innovations.
Source and photo credit @Sopra Steria/External Press Office Sopra Steria Italia – Comin & Partners
