"Transformations of Transatlantic Defence: Partnerships, Procurement and Innovation in an Era of Global Competition"

Berlin · 15–16 October 2026
Embassy of Canada in Germany · Embassy of France in Germany

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The Forum de Défense et de Stratégie is organising a new edition of its France–Canada–Germany Trilateral Seminar on the Transatlantic Security Architecture in Berlin on 15–16 October 2026. This year’s edition will focus on the transformations currently reshaping defence cooperation between Europe and North America: evolving strategic partnerships, new procurement policies, industrial sovereignty, technological innovation, interoperability, and the adaptation of transatlantic cooperation frameworks.

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Two Days of Transatlantic Dialogue

The seminar will bring together in Berlin senior political, diplomatic and military officials, representatives of the defence industry, as well as researchers and experts from Canada, France, Germany and several other allied countries.

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Over two days, high-level panels and restricted discussion sessions will provide opportunities to compare national and institutional perspectives and identify new avenues for cooperation among transatlantic partners. The seminar will take place primarily at the Embassy of Canada in Germany, while part of the programme on 15 October will be hosted at the Embassy of France in Germany.

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The final two panels on the afternoon of Friday, 16 October will be open to the public, offering an opportunity to attend discussions on defence innovation and the future of transatlantic cooperation. Registration details are available here.

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Key Themes

Discussions will focus in particular on strategic partnerships and industrial sovereignty, defence procurement models and their transformation, as well as the future of cooperation between the United States and its allies. Particular attention will also be paid to the new technological dimensions of defence: cyber defence and resilience, interoperability, data, Software-Defined Defence, innovation and capability development, as well as the conditions required to foster defence innovation that is both effective, secure and responsible. Finally, the seminar will examine new cooperation, investment and procurement formats that could strengthen European and transatlantic capabilities in a rapidly changing strategic environment.