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Allies in Innovation

Allies in Innovation

Written by: Terma A/S
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About this listen

Allies in Innovation is the podcast that reveals some of the most advanced technologies on the planet. Technologies that will not only fascinate you but will change how you live your everyday life and ultimately change the world.

In the podcast we talk with the engineers behind the technological innovations, and we ask them, why it fascinates them and how it will come to change the future.

In the podcast, we’re zooming in on how to gain situational awareness of the Arctics, how to drive innovation in cutting-edge technology, and how to build for space.

So, join us today, as we dive into the innovations and partnership that will shape the future of space exploration, surveillance, and warfare.

This podcast is brought to you by Terma.
This podcast is produced by Montanus.Terma A/S
Political Science Politics & Government Science
Episodes
  • 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
    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.
    Show More Show Less
    22 mins
  • 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.
    Show More Show Less
    38 mins
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