Military experts from 15 European Union Member States gathered in Rome this week under the European Defence Agency (EDA) to examine new technologies supporting ground combat operations and future soldier systems.
The meeting, held as part of EDA’s Capability Groups on Ground Combat Capabilities and Future Soldier Systems, included discussions on countering ground drone threats, advancing simulation-based training, and scaling up national pilot projects.
At the Nettuno Test Centre near Rome, participants observed unmanned ground and aerial systems performing live logistics missions. The demonstrations marked the final phase of the Operational Experimentation (OPEX) campaign, part of EDA’s Hub for EU Defence Innovation (HEDI).
The event was hosted by the Italian Army and supported by Italy’s Directorate of Land Armaments (SGD/NAD). It ties into the European Readiness 2030 priorities, which emphasize joint capability development and transforming innovation into operational results across EU defense forces.
The live tests evaluated how unmanned systems can support supply chains and logistics under field conditions, as EU militaries seek to improve agility and interoperability in future operations.