The EDA will gather decision makers and experts on 4 - 6 March 2013 for a conference that will examine the future of threats and how we can collaborate to develop a pool for readily available and resilient capabilities.
Current operations have taught EDA Member States about modern warfare and forced them to adapt. Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) symbolise this change in mind set. In some ways primitive, but when put in the context of a network that ensures funding, manufacturing, distribution and emplacement, they have repeatedly proven their effectiveness against forces designed for the Cold War as well as their ruthlessness against bystanders.
But what lies ahead at home and in theatre? A few trends can be observed that hint on in which direction operations are heading. Future deployed operations may no longer be large land based, airborne or naval units working together to achieve a desired end state. Instead focus is more likely to be on gathering intelligence to support specific low level operations with the aim of arresting suspects and securing evidence in order to bring them to justice, avoiding to the use of force.
To achieve this, a number of different actors are likely to be involved, beyond the military. Operations are likely to continue to be exposed to public scrutiny via media, requiring full transparency and accountability to governance and legislation. However militaries will be required to retain their ability to act as a deterrent to other states and thus need to be able to manage both ends of the conflict spectrum. Being prepared requires having in place capabilities that can tackle a number of conventional and asymmetric threats, not only IEDs. Drawing on civil-military synergies to maximise the availability of effective and resilient capabilities could provide solutions.
The Conference pinnacle is the High Level Day, during which senior decision makers from Governments, EU institutions, international organisations as well as academia to discuss how threats are likely to evolve and how we can ensure a sufficient level or preparedness for future operations. The High Level Day will be preceded by an Expert Conference where accepted papers will be presented on specific areas such as forensics, detection, training and search. A Government-only Seminar will focus on the story so far with regard to the role of exploitation past, present and future.
Stay tuned for more information on how to register and how to submit papers.