Keynote Address of the 2nd DAY “ R & D role for Innovative and future-oriented defence solutions ”
Kyriacos Kokkinos Deputy Minister to the President of Research , Innovation & Digital Policy , Republic of Cyprus
Distinguished guests ,
It is a great pleasure to address the “ Cyprus Defence & Security Conference ” and share with you the significant role of R & D and Innovation for the Defence sector , a key sector for our economy and society as a whole . I would like to extend a warm welcome to all our guests and thank everyone for honouring us with their presence .
( Digital Transformation ) We live in an era of accelerating technological change , where the advancement of digital technologies is relentless . We are becoming increasingly empowered by , and dependent on advancements in digital technology . Digital devices are becoming an integral part of everyday life and work , while new technologies like Augmented Reality , Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain are being developed and deployed all over the world .
The pandemic has accelerated this digital transformation . In the same way that digital technology has proved so transformative in our private lives and to the industry and private sector , it is also changing the character of competition , national security and conflict risk .
Regarding Defence , given the widespread availability of new technologies , opportunities arise from their rapid adoption and exploitation through new ways of working , operating and fighting . Our digital and data networks and devices are ever more critical in our efforts to safeguard our nation ’ s security , stability and prosperity , “ anytime , anyplace , anywhere ” across our sea , land , air , space and cyber platforms .
( Digital Transformation in Defence ) Today ’ s battlespace is shaped not only by conventional weapons of war , but by a potent blend of data , technology and innovation that forms our digital world .
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