What are dual-use technologies?
In today's rapidly evolving global landscape, Europe’s competitiveness, economic security and strategic autonomy rely on our ability to develop and deploy key technologies.
Many critical technologies have dual-use potential and can serve strategic objectives related to competitiveness, resilience, defence and security.
Such technologies include artificial intelligence, advanced materials, nanotechnology, cybersecurity tools, satellite technologies, biotechnologies, quantum, aerospace and drones, and more.
Enhancing support for research and development involving technologies with dual-use potential
In January 2024 the European Commission adopted the White Paper on options for enhancing support for research and development involving technologies with dual-use potential, as part of its Communication: Advancing European Economic Security.
The White Paper explores a range of options to create a more integrated, strategically targeted framework for dual-use research and innovation.
To inform its policy design and assess stakeholder readiness, the Commission launched a public consultation on the options identified in the White Paper. The consultation, which closed in April 2024, gathered input from industry representatives, research organisations, national authorities, civil society, and other actors across the EU.
Strategic reports and Commission initiatives
Several strategic reports show that there is a momentum behind dual-use research and innovation: the Report by Special Adviser Niinistö on Strengthening Europe’s civil and military preparedness and readiness, the Report “Align, Act, Accelerate” on research, technology and innovation to boost European competitiveness, the Report by Mario Draghi on the future of European competitiveness, and the Report by Enrico Letta “Much more than a market” on empowering the Single Market to deliver a sustainable future and prosperity for all EU citizens.
Furthermore, the Commission has recently adopted relevant initiatives.
- The Joint White Paper for European Defence Readiness 2030 recognises that technologies will be the main feature of competition in the new geopolitical environment. It indicates that the Commission will ensure that the European Innovation Council (EIC) and the forthcoming ScaleUp Europe Fund will invest in dual-use technologies.
- The European Preparedness Union Strategy promotes a “dual-use by design” approach, encouraging the integration of dual-use in technology development.
- The ProtectEU: a European Internal Security Strategy calls for the dual-use potential of technologies to be exploited in both directions (from civil to defence and from defence to civil).
Independent expert reports
The policy discussion is supported by analysis from leading experts tasked by the European Commission with examining the practical and societal implications of supporting dual-use research and innovation at the EU level.
A Policy Brief by the Expert Group on the economic and societal impact of research and innovation (ESIR) “Making the most of EU Research and Innovation Investments: rethinking dual use”, offers a comprehensive approach to dual-use research and innovation that would balance innovation, security and ethical considerations.
A technical report authored by 5 experts from both civil and defence research and innovation communities, “Unlocking the potential of dual-use research and innovation”, examines civil-defence synergies, implementation challenges for dual-use projects, and international examples of policy strategies and funding programmes supporting dual-use research and innovation.
Documents
- Unlocking the potential of dual-use research and innovation (Technical Expert Report)
- Making the most of EU research and innovation investments (ESIR Expert Report)
- ProtectEU: a European Internal Security Strategy
- European Preparedness Union Strategy
- Joint White Paper for European Defence Readiness 2030
- Results of the public consultation - White paper on options for targeted support for research
- White Paper on options for enhancing support for research and development involving technologies with dual-use potential