Accra:The Ministry of Defence emphasizes the importance of innovation as a cornerstone of national security, as stated by Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas during the EUDIS Defence Hackathon 2026.

According to Cyprus News Agency, Minister Palmas stressed the necessity of strengthening the connections between defence, research, academia, and industry to build resilience, achieve technological excellence, and secure strategic autonomy. He highlighted Cyprus's commitment to European initiatives like the European Defence Fund and EUDIS, which aim to create opportunities for Cypriot talent and organizations to contribute to the European defence innovation ecosystem.

Minister Palmas described the EUDIS Defence Hackathon 2026 as a unique initiative that gathers talented individuals from across Europe to address significant technological challenges in defence and security. The Hackathon is conducted simultaneously in eight European countries, including Cyprus as a host nation.

The theme for this year's event, 'Autonomy on the Battlefield,' reflects significant technological transformations, with rapid advances in autonomous systems, artificial intelligence, robotics, and unmanned platforms reshaping the security landscape. These developments present both opportunities and challenges for nations and armed forces globally.

Palmas highlighted that the value of the Hackathon lies not only in the competition but also in its promotion of collaboration. He noted, "Innovation thrives when people with different skills, experiences, and perspectives come together to solve complex problems." Participants include researchers, engineers, students, entrepreneurs, defence experts, and industry representatives, all united by a common goal to create future-shaping solutions.

The Minister expressed satisfaction with the strong participation of young scientists, engineers, and innovators, emphasizing that their ideas, creativity, and determination are valuable strategic resources. He concluded by stating that the challenges tackled during the Hackathon could lay the groundwork for future technologies and capabilities.