It is a great honour and pleasure to welcome you to the opening of the EUDIS Defence Hackathon 2026, a unique initiative that brings together talented individuals from across Europe to tackle some of the most demanding technological challenges in the field of defence and security. The Hackathon takes place simultaneously in eight European countries, with Cyprus proudly participating as one of the host nations

This year’s theme, “Autonomy on the Battlefield”, reflects one of the most important technological transformations of our time. Rapid advances in autonomous systems, artificial intelligence, robotics and unmanned platforms are reshaping the security environment and creating new opportunities, as well as new challenges, for nations and armed forces around the world.

Over the next 48 hours, participants will work intensively to develop innovative solutions in areas such as navigation in GNSS-denied environments, swarm coordination of autonomous systems, and the protection of critical infrastructure. These are not theoretical challenges. They represent real operational and technological needs that require creativity, expertise and forward-thinking approaches.

What makes this event particularly valuable is not only the competition itself, but the spirit of collaboration that it promotes. Innovation thrives when people with different skills, experiences and perspectives come together to solve complex problems. 

Today, researchers, engineers, students, entrepreneurs, defence experts and industry representatives are gathered in one place with a common purpose: to create solutions that can shape the future.

The Ministry of Defence firmly believes that innovation is a strategic pillar of national security. Strengthening the connection between defence, research, academia and industry is essential for building resilience, technological excellence and strategic autonomy. 

Through our participation in European initiatives such as the European Defence Fund and EUDIS, we are committed to creating opportunities that enable Cypriot talent and organisations to contribute meaningfully to the European defence innovation ecosystem.

I am particularly pleased to see the strong participation of young scientists, engineers and innovators. Your ideas, your creativity and your determination are among our most valuable strategic resources. The challenges you will address during this Hackathon may well become the foundations of future technologies and capabilities.

I would also like to express my sincere appreciation to the organisers, our European partners, mentors, evaluators and sponsors for their commitment and support. Their contribution is essential to the success of this initiative and to the promotion of a culture of innovation and cooperation.

To all participants, I encourage you to think boldly, collaborate openly and seize this opportunity to transform ambitious ideas into practical solutions. Whether you ultimately receive a prize or not, the experience, the knowledge gained and the partnerships formed during these three days will be among the most valuable outcomes of this event.

I wish every team the very best of success and look forward to seeing the innovative ideas and solutions that will emerge over the coming days.

#The EUDIS Defence Hackathon is an initiative driven by the European Commission to foster innovation in the defence sector. It aims to bring together the brightest minds across Europe to collaborate on key challenges related to defence, cybersecurity, and resilience. The hackathon provides a unique opportunity for participants to engage with industry experts, tackle real-world defence issues, and contribute innovative solutions that enhance European defence capabilities. Through a blend of online and in-person events, the hackathon encourages teamwork, creativity, and technological advancement for a stronger European defence framework. The European Defence Fund (EDF), a programme of the European Commission, is financing the EUDIS hackathons.