Episodes

  • E17: Will Europe Be Defense-Ready for War by 2030?

    E17: Will Europe Be Defense-Ready for War by 2030?
    Dec 3 2025
    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.
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    40 mins
  • 16: Above Earth is the New Cyber Battlefield

    16: Above Earth is the New Cyber Battlefield
    Nov 19 2025
    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.
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    22 mins
  • 15: When Drones Slip Past the Radar

    15: When Drones Slip Past the Radar
    Oct 22 2025
    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.
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    38 mins
  • 14: Preparing for Q-Day: Cybersecurity in the Age of Quantum and AI

    14: Preparing for Q-Day: Cybersecurity in the Age of Quantum and AI
    Sep 10 2025
    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:
    1. Why cyber is moving from “add-on” to a core design requirement.
    2. How NATO standards are shaping interoperability across defense systems.
    3. The convergence of cyber, AI, and quantum - and the risks of misuse.
    4. The looming quantum threat: “harvest now, decrypt later.”
    5. How post-quantum cryptography and quantum key distribution could secure the future.
    6. Real-world challenges in transitioning legacy systems.
    7. The importance of partnerships and joint strategies in Europe and beyond.
    8. 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.
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    22 mins
  • 13: How Space Communication Changed with Software-Defined Radio

    13: How Space Communication Changed with Software-Defined Radio
    Aug 6 2025
    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:
    1. Key benefits of software-defined radio in space missions.
    2. How SDR enhances flexibility and re-configurability for satellites.
    3. Overcoming SDR challenges: radiation effects and cybersecurity.
    4. The role of virtualization in satellite communication solutions.
    5. 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.
    Show More Show Less
    32 mins
  • 12: Rearming Europe: how we defend the continent

    12: Rearming Europe: how we defend the continent
    Jun 30 2025
    Is Europe ready for the next wave of security threats?

    With Denmark stepping into the EU presidency and war still raging in Ukraine, defense strategy across the continent is under pressure to adapt.

    In this episode, host Mikkel Svold speaks with Christine Nissen, Chief Analyst at Think Tank Europa, and Séverin Schnepp, Associate Director at Terma, to uncover Denmark’s growing role, the EU’s shifting posture, and defense industry readiness.

    Can Europe act together?
    Are current capabilities enough?
    And what should the defense sector expect?

    **In this episode, you'll learn about:**
    1. Denmark's EU presidency and its impact on European security.
    2. How EU defense policies are shaped during presidencies.
    3. Denmark's shifting stance on EU defense cooperation.
    4. Balancing conventional and unconventional security threats in Europe.
    5. Industry and government roles in defense capability development.
    6. Importance of collaboration in European defense strategies.

    ## Episode Content
    01:17 Overview of EU Presidency and its significance
    03:04 Influence of Denmark on the EU agenda
    05:12 Historical skepticism of Denmark towards EU defense
    09:30 Industry perspective on changing defense dynamics
    13:05 Public sentiment regarding EU defense cooperation
    15:39 Upcoming agendas for Denmark's EU Presidency
    18:43 Budgeting goals and legislative conclusions for defense
    21:51 Ready for conflict by 2030: key concerns
    25:17 Addressing conventional and unconventional threats
    31:38 Future of European defense collaboration strategies
    34:47 Top priorities for Denmark during the presidency

    ## 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.
    Show More Show Less
    39 mins
  • Special: Defending Europe, Now and in the Future | Live from Paris Air Show

    Special: Defending Europe, Now and in the Future | Live from Paris Air Show
    Jun 18 2025
    Europe’s defense priorities are shifting fast – but are governments moving quickly enough?

    Join us at the Paris Air Show where we talk with Georgia Pickering from CMS Strategic and Steen Lynenskjold of Terma about how the UK and Denmark are responding to rising tensions, urgent rearming pressures, and what NATO and the EU are getting right – and wrong.

    In this episode You’ll learn about the funding gaps, where skills and tech still fall short, and how politics, industry, and the military are actually working together to meet Europe’s 2030 defense goals.

    Short, sharp, and brutally honest.

    In this episode, you'll learn about:
    1. The impact of defense budget increases in Europe and NATO.
    2. The UK's current stance and future on defense spending.
    3. How the Danish defense industry is responding to new demands.
    4. The role of SMEs in strengthening the defense sector.
    5. Innovations and challenges in European defense investments.
    6. How non-traditional companies are changing the defense landscape.

    Episode Content
    01:41 Discussion on Europe's rearming urgency
    06:00 Addressing capability and skills gaps in defense
    07:32 Perception shifts due to support for Ukraine
    09:54 The importance of industry certainty and investment
    10:55 Accelerating defense capabilities within the industry
    15:52 The blurring lines between civil and defense industries
    19:26 Non-traditional companies entering the defense sector
    22:52 Launch of new technology during the air show
    30:00 Closing remarks and listener engagement invitation

    Production
    This podcast is brought to you by Terma.
    This podcast is produced by Montanus and LoudColors.
    Special thanks to Paris Air Show and CMS Strategic for joining the conversation.

    Production
    This podcast is brought to you by Terma.
    This podcast is produced by Montanus.
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    31 mins
  • 11: Trust but Verify – The Critical Role of Supply Chain Security in Cyber Defense

    11: Trust but Verify – The Critical Role of Supply Chain Security in Cyber Defense
    Jun 4 2025
    How do nations protect their most critical systems in an increasingly digital world?

    In this episode of Allies in Innovation, host Mikkel Svold talks with Samant Khajuria, VP of Cyber and Quantum at Terma, and Jeffrey Saunders, CTO and Strategic Advisor at Denmark's National Defense Technology Center.

    They break down how governments, researchers, and the private sector work together to tackle cybersecurity challenges. From securing supply chains to tackling real-world defense threats, the conversation gets straight to what works—and what doesn't—when safeguarding national networks.

    Listen in to learn how collaboration, trust, and constant vigilance are shaping the future of cyber defense.

    In this episode, you'll learn about:
    1. How collaboration strengthens cyber defense across industries.
    2. The critical role of supply chain security.
    3. Key certifications for robust cyber defense.
    4. The intersection of IT and OT in cybersecurity.
    5. How trust and verification impact national defense.
    6. Insights into future collaboration for cybersecurity innovation.

    Episode Contents
    00:11 Introduction to Cybersecurity in Defense with Samant Khajuria and Jeffrey Saunders
    03:24 Building Trust Within Your Supply Chain
    08:18 Ensuring Compliance Across Vendor Supply Chains
    10:21 Integrating IT and OT for Enhanced Security
    15:42 Collaboration Among Governments, Research, and Private Sector
    17:36 Education and Knowledge Sharing in Cybersecurity
    29:25 Future Collaborations and Building Trust Across Borders
    32:59 Final Thoughts on Trust and Verification in Cybersecurity

    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.
    Show More Show Less
    35 mins