DTU, Defense Service, Industry Unite on Defense Tech

It is happening right now. The threat landscape against Denmark is serious. Hybrid threats are increasing, and so are the demands on the authorities and companies that must work in close cooperation to develop new technologies to protect the country.

Therefore, DTU, the Danish Defence Intelligence Service (FE), and the Danish Industry Foundation are joining forces to create an innovation model in which testing and development can proceed much faster.

The 'Fra Efterretning til Erhverv' (From Intelligence to Business) model aims to translate needs from the intelligence sector into new technological solutions through close cooperation among authorities, universities, and companies. This can include high-tech areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, sensors, data analysis, and automation.

Minister of Defence Jeppe Bruus sees the initiative as one of many necessary steps in turbulent times.

"It is crucial to promote innovation and ensure continuous technological development that can counter the serious threat landscape that Denmark and Europe are facing. This requires close cooperation between authorities, industry, and the research community, and it is therefore important that the project establishes a strategic partnership that can help strengthen Denmark's security," he says.

Research and innovation must be brought closer to operational needs

DTU's task is to develop research and technology for the benefit of society, also within the defense and security areas, where, in recent years, there has been a need for a more direct link between research and specific operational issues.

"DTU has a long tradition of bringing research into play where it is most beneficial to the authorities and companies that will use it. In the intelligence area, it is crucial that new technology is developed responsibly and on a solid scientific basis. Therefore, we see this partnership as a strong and necessary framework for accelerating innovation and strengthening Denmark's technological preparedness," says DTU's Provost Christine Nellemann.

Giving companies access to a difficult market

Today, many Danish companies have advanced technologies that could be relevant in a defense context. However, they need knowledge of the operational needs for which the technologies must be developed to contribute to Danish and European security.

In addition, intelligence services are inherently characterized by closed processes. This makes it difficult for startups and, in particular, small and medium-sized enterprises to understand where their solutions can make a real difference.

According to the Danish Industry Foundation, insight and access are therefore absolutely central to unlocking the potential of Danish technology companies.

"When the intelligence service formulates what they need, Danish companies gain a unique insight into a difficult-to-access market with very special characteristics and needs. In this way, we create groundbreaking innovation collaborations that also open new customer relationships in areas where many companies normally have difficulty navigating," says CEO of the Danish Industry Foundation, Thomas Hofman-Bang.

The initiative will contribute to this by expanding an already existing collaboration between FE and DTU and creating a safe, structured space where companies gain insight into FE's needs and can test and mature their technologies early in the development process.

This will enable a broad national ecosystem of companies, innovation environments, and research centers to be brought into play and, through short, targeted processes, identify which technologies are relevant to the intelligence and security area.