Allies in Innovation

Europe has set itself a clear goal: be militarily ready by 2030. But with drone incursions, airspace violations and a rapidly shifting geopolitical landscape, is that timeline still realistic? And what does "ready" actually mean in practice?

In this episode of Allies in Innovation, host Mikkel Svold revisits the EU security and defense agenda with Séverin Schnepp, Associate Director of European Affairs at Terma, and Christine Nissen, Chief Analyst at Think Tank Europa. Together, they unpack the EU Defense Readiness Roadmap 2030, the Danish EU presidency, and what has really changed in the past four months on defense and security.ª

They discuss new EU instruments like EDIP and the SAFE loan, the idea of European preference in defense procurement, and the evolving relationship between states and industry. At the same time, they explore the political realities, national interests and time pressure that could either drive Europe toward real readiness or keep it stuck in talks and strategies.

If you want to understand how Europe is trying to move from vision to capability, this episode gives you a clear and grounded overview.

In this episode, you will learn about:1. What the EU Defense Readiness Roadmap 2030 actually aims to achieve.
2. How the Danish EU presidency has pushed key defense initiatives forward.
3. The role of EDIP and the SAFE loan in strengthening Europe’s defense industry.
4. What European preference means for defense procurement and industry.
5. Why drones and hybrid threats are changing the sense of urgency.
6. How national interests and geography shape countries’ threat perceptions.
7. Why the relationship between states and defense industry needs a reset.
8. The main roadblocks to coordination, speed and common capability projects.

Episode Content
00:00 Can Europe be ready for war by 2030 and what does readiness mean
01:03 New security reality with airspace violations and drone incursions 
03:44 What the Danish EU presidency has actually delivered on defense 
04:26 EDIP, the Defense Roadmap and cutting red tape for industry
05:40 How the broader geopolitical context has raised the stakes
08:27 The SAFE loan and how 19 member states have signed up
09:25 Turning EU money and loans into real capabilities and production
10:58 What the EU can do to better push the agenda into industry
13:14 European preference and why EU funds are tied to EU-made systems
16:19 Fragmentation, national interests and incentives to cooperate
18:23 Main roadblocks: coordination, speed and defining “smart choices” 
23:19 Is the 2030 readiness goal realistic and how deadlines change behavior
27:45 Are we moving toward a real “one European team” mindset
33:25 What defense spending looks like per EU citizen
35:18 The final stretch of the Danish presidency and what comes next
37:22 Flagship capability projects and priorities for 2026 and beyond 

Production
This podcast is brought to you by Terma. 
This podcast is produced by Montanus.

Introduction
A single malware attack once took down more than 6,000 wind turbines in Germany and disrupted satellite networks across Europe. What began as a cyber strike on Ukraine exposed something far bigger: how vulnerable our space infrastructure really is.

In this episode of Allies in Innovation, host Mikkel Svold talks with Olga Nasibullina, co-founder of A42 and TheSign.Media, and Augusto Mattos Schaedle, Senior Director and Head of Space R&D at Terma Group. Together, they explore how cyberattacks can reach satellites, ground stations, and communication networks, and why space has become the new digital frontline. They also discuss lessons from the VSAT incident, the challenge of securing legacy systems, and the urgent need to train a new generation of specialists in space cybersecurity. Because protecting space is no longer just about rockets and satellites, but about safeguarding the systems that connect life on Earth.

In this episode, you'll learn about:Why space technology is essential to modern life.
How the VSAT cyberattack reshaped global thinking on satellite security.
Key vulnerabilities across the satellite lifecycle.
How Terma integrates cybersecurity by design into space missions.
Why legacy satellites are difficult to secure.
The growing need for education and training in space cybersecurity.
The double-edged role of AI in developing secure space systems.
Episode Content
00:00 Why space technology matters and how dependent we are on it
00:56 The VSAT cyberattack that exposed space vulnerabilities
02:13 Introducing guests Olga Nasibullina and Augusto Mattos Schaedle
03:25 How satellite technology affects communication, navigation, and agriculture
04:31 Why space security concerns everyday life, not just defense
05:31 Lessons learned from the VSAT incident
08:07 The full lifecycle of vulnerabilities in satellite systems
09:47 How Terma builds cybersecurity into missions from the start
13:29 Protecting legacy satellites through secure ground systems
14:54 Why governments need more training in space cybersecurity
16:51 The shortage of specialists and the need for new education programs
19:07 The ethical use of AI in space security and software development 

Production
This podcast is brought to you by Terma. 
This podcast is produced by Montanus.

A drone buzzes low over a restricted zone. It’s too small to spot on radar, too fast to intercept in time. It’s not science fiction. It’s happening right now, at nuclear plants, power grids and government offices.

In this episode, host Mikkel Svold talks with Karsten Marrup from the Royal Danish Defense College and Lasse Due Jørgensen from Terma, a global leader in drone defense tech. They break down how drones are pushing past old security systems and what’s actually working to stop them.

We get into real-world tactics, the limits of current tech and how AI fits into the picture. The future has arrived faster than expected, and it’s up to us to meet it head-on.

In this episode, you'll learn about:

1. Types of drones national security must counter.
2. Why different drones need different countermeasures.

3. How critical infrastructure protects against drone threats.
4. Impact of hybrid warfare on critical infrastructure.
5. Challenges of leveling the field with scalable counter systems.
6. Role of AI in evolving drone threats.

Episode Content
01:55 Different types of drones and their purposes
06:18 Drones for critical infrastructure protection
08:00 Understanding motives behind drone activities
09:24 Challenges in detecting and countering drones
11:00 Radar limitations for small drones explained
13:53 Building a layered defense approach
17:27 Prioritizing critical infrastructure protection strategies
19:48 Mitigating threats from cheap drones
22:45 Importance of passive air defense measures
26:16 Exploring hybrid warfare and its implications
29:47 Cybersecurity and space operations questions to consider
34:15 Future of drone technology and defense strategie

Production
This podcast is brought to you by Terma. 
This podcast is produced by Montanus.

Cyber security is no longer an afterthought. Cyber threads are now shaping the foundation of defense and critical infrastructure systems. At the same time, emerging technologies like quantum computing and AI are accelerating faster than expected, bringing both opportunities and risks.

In this episode of Allies in Innovation, host Mikkel Svold sits down once again with Samant Khajuria, Vice President of Quantum and Cyber at Terma. They revisit the evolving cyber landscape, explore how defense organizations are preparing for “Q-Day” (when quantum computers can break today’s encryption), and discuss the crucial role of collaboration in staying ahead. They also cover practical challenges, from legacy systems to shifting standards, and explain why cyber needs to be integrated from the very first design stage and not added later.

If you want to understand how the defense industry is gearing up for disruptive technologies, this episode will give you a front-row seat.

In this episode, you'll learn about:
Why cyber is moving from “add-on” to a core design requirement.
How NATO standards are shaping interoperability across defense systems.
The convergence of cyber, AI, and quantum - and the risks of misuse.
The looming quantum threat: “harvest now, decrypt later.”
How post-quantum cryptography and quantum key distribution could secure the future.
Real-world challenges in transitioning legacy systems.
The importance of partnerships and joint strategies in Europe and beyond.
Why quantum sensing might become a game-changer in the next five years.

Episode Content
00:00 Introduction to Cyber and Quantum with Samant Khajuria
01:54 Cybersecurity as a fundamental requirement in defense and infrastructure
03:29 The shift from “add-on” security to built-in resilience
05:41 Disruptive technologies: cyber, AI, quantum, and their dual-use risks
08:58 Collaboration and partnerships to keep pace with rapid innovation
09:38 Preparing for Q-Day: harvest now, decrypt later
10:52 Post-quantum cryptography and quantum key distribution in practice
12:47 Challenges of legacy systems and new cyber standards
15:09 Roadmap: proof-of-concepts and quantum key exchange projects
16:42 How smaller organizations can prepare for cyber and quantum threats
18:06 Quantum sensing and other non-cyber applications of quantum tech
19:40 Looking ahead: strategy, digitization, and reducing red tape

Production
This podcast is brought to you by Terma. 
This podcast is produced by Montanus.

How do you keep communication systems in space agile, secure, and mission-ready? Software-defined radio (SDR) might be your best answer.

In this episode of Allies in Innovation, host Mikkel Svold talks with Andreas Stren, lecturer at the University of Applied Sciences Wiener Neustadt, and Alexander Spaniol, RF engineer at Terma. They break down how SDR shifts control from hardware to software, enables remote updates, faster adjustments to mission demands, and better risk management.

They also get into real-world SDR use cases, cybersecurity challenges, and why the tech could be a game-changer for ground stations and smaller space operators.

If you’re into the current or future space communication systems, this one’s worth a listen.

In this episode, you'll learn about:
Key benefits of software-defined radio in space missions.
How SDR enhances flexibility and re-configurability for satellites.
Overcoming SDR challenges: radiation effects and cybersecurity.
The role of virtualization in satellite communication solutions.
Future prospects: cost-effective and accessible ground stations
Episode Content

00:00 Introduction to Software-Defined Radio and Guests  
00:47 What is Software-Defined Radio (SDR)?  
01:43 Transition from Hardware to Software-Defined Systems  
03:15 Advantages of Reduced Hardware in Space Missions  
05:39 Flexibility and Reconfigurability in SDR Applications  
08:12 Risks and Challenges of Using SDRs in Space  
12:33 Cybersecurity Concerns in Software-Defined Systems  
14:07 Connection Between SDR and Virtualization  
16:22 Cost-Effectiveness of Virtualized Ground Stations  
17:22 Educational Impact of SDR in Aerospace Training  
28:42 Future Trends in SDR for Communication Services

Production
This podcast is brought to you by Terma.
This podcast is produced by Montanus.

Production
This podcast is brought to you by Terma. 
This podcast is produced by Montanus.