The Luxembourg Directorate of Defence and Luxinnovation have collaboratively selected a range of national innovation facilities to join NATO’s DIANA (Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic) network which will be led by Technoport.
In a rather significant milestone for national defence innovation, Luxembourg has joined NATO’s DIANA (Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic) network.
Technoport to lead accelerator
The Luxembourg chapter will be lead by Technoport, that will not only find active partners to enter the program but will also be responsible for running the operations, and collaboration with NATO.
At present, the selected facilities to integrate the DIANA network, paving the way for enhanced cooperation in addressing critical defence and security challenges are The Luxembourg House of Cybersecurity (LHC), The Luxembourg Space Agency, The Space Campus, The Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST), and The Interdisciplinary Centre for Security, Reliability, and Trust (SnT) at the University of Luxembourg.
This will foster collaboration within the DIANA network and serve as the central accelerator site for DIANA in Luxembourg.
“We are delighted that the national ecosystem is strengthening its links with NATO. Luxembourg has a lot of expertise to share and we will do our part in maintaining the Alliance’s technological edge. Exchanges within DIANA will also enrich our innovators and strengthen transatlantic cooperation. And let us not forget the crucial synergies between DIANA and the Luxembourg-domiciled NATO Innovation Fund”, said Yuriko Backes, minister of defence.
“In the booming innovation ecosystem in Luxembourg, this integration into NATO’s DIANA network will put the spotlight on national areas of excellence such as space, data, smart materials, biotechnology and quantum.”
Sasha Baillie, CEO of Luxinnovation
Spotlight On National Areas Of Excellence
This integration into NATO’s DIANA network will showcase Luxembourg’s areas of excellence, including space, data, smart materials, biotechnology, and quantum technologies.
This collaboration offers a significant opportunity for innovation and economic development in the defense and security sectors. With both civilian and military entities coming together for research, the project stands to gain a substantial competitive advantage.
Furthermore, buy-in from private players, particularly startups is deemed essential for driving innovation forward. The team involved in spearheading the project has highlighted the importance of maintaining open dialogue and strengthening public sector engagement with the entire ecosystem as key factors for success.
As Luxembourg embraces its role within the DIANA network, collaboration between the European Union, NATO, and national players becomes paramount to ensuring collective security and fostering innovation for the future. With this synergy, the aim is to identify cutting-edge technologies and work with NATO’s exposure to newer technologies.
“In the current context, it is crucial to link all initiatives to maximise synergies and ensure that all our efforts complement each other. The European Union, NATO and national players must work together”, concluded Sasha Baillie, CEO of Luxinnovation.
