FORUM DE DEFENSE ET DE STRATEGIE
Trilateral Seminar on the Transatlantic Security Architecture
"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
The Forum de Défense et de Stratégie organised 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 focused on the transformations 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.
Two Days of Transatlantic Dialogue
The seminar brought 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.
Over two days, high-level panels and restricted discussion sessions provided opportunities to compare national and institutional perspectives and identify new avenues for cooperation among transatlantic partners. The seminar took place primarily at the Embassy of Canada in Germany, while part of the programme on 15 October was hosted at the Embassy of France in Germany.
The final two panels on the afternoon of Friday, 16 October were open to the public, offering an opportunity to attend discussions on defence innovation and the future of transatlantic cooperation.
Key Themes
Discussions focused 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 was also 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 examined new cooperation, investment and procurement formats aimed at strengthening European and transatlantic capabilities in a rapidly changing strategic environment.
Co-organisers
Strategic Institutional Partners
Diamond Partners
The Seminar Will Feature, Among Others:
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Vera Alexander, Ambassador of Canada to Germany;
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François Delattre, Ambassador of France to Germany;
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John Hannaford, Personal Representative of the Prime Minister of Canada to the European Union;
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Dr Nils Schmid, Parliamentary State Secretary to the German Federal Minister of Defence;
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Heidi Hulan, Permanent Representative of Canada to NATO;
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Artis Pabriks, former Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia;
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Lt Gen (Ret.) Ben Hodges, former Commanding General, U.S. Army Europe;
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Ann Linde, former Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sweden;
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Dr Dominik Mutter, Political Director, German Federal Foreign Office;
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Metin Hakverdi, Member of the German Bundestag and Coordinator for Transatlantic Cooperation of the German Federal Government;
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Major-General Paul Peyton, Military Deputy Director North America, NATO DIANA.
Partners
Supporter
