From Offsets to Force Multipliers: Eurosatory Post-Show European Defence Report 2026
- Nicholas Cobb
- Jun 24
- 5 min read
Following the conclusion of this year’s Eurosatory exhibition in Paris last week, I would like to reflect on what was a highly productive and strategically important engagement for the Canadian defence and security community.
The event reinforced the growing importance of international collaboration, industrial partnerships, and the requirement for a more connected and resilient global defence ecosystem.
Representing WCDIA in Europe, with the support of CEC Global Communications, my focus throughout the exhibition was to strengthen dialogue between Canadian, European and wider international defence stakeholders. The conversations taking place demonstrated that defence collaboration is evolving rapidly. It is no longer simply centred around traditional procurement relationships, but increasingly focused on industrial cooperation, technology development, supply chain resilience, innovation partnerships and the ability to rapidly deliver operational capability.
A Changing Global Defence Environment
The current geopolitical environment has created the most significant period of defence investment growth since the end of the Cold War. Global military expenditure reached approximately $2.7 trillion in 2024, representing a 9.4% increase year-on-year, the largest annual increase recorded by SIPRI since at least the late 1980s. Defence spending has now increased for ten consecutive years, with global military expenditure rising by approximately 37% between 2015 and 2024.
Europe has been a major driver of this growth. European military expenditure increased by approximately 17% in 2024, exceeding Cold War-era levels as nations respond to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, evolving security challenges and the requirement to rebuild sovereign defence capacity.
This period of rearmament is not simply about increasing budgets; it represents a fundamental restructuring of defence industries. Governments across Europe are recognising that capability depends not only on platforms and equipment, but also on manufacturing capacity, skilled labour, secure supply chains and the ability to scale production quickly during periods of heightened demand.
Canada’s Unique Role Within the Global Defence Network
For Canada, this changing environment represents a significant opportunity. Canada occupies a unique strategic position within the global defence network: a NATO founding member, a Five Eyes partner, a G7 economy and a trusted contributor to allied security operations.
Canada’s defence relationship with Europe and the United Kingdom is particularly important. As allies seek to strengthen resilience and reduce strategic dependencies, Canada offers a highly attractive partnership opportunity through its advanced aerospace, maritime, land systems, cyber security and emerging technology sectors.
The future requirement is not simply greater defence expenditure; it is smarter investment that generates operational capability, industrial growth and long-term strategic value.
Canada’s increased focus on defence modernisation aligns with the wider NATO environment. NATO allies collectively represented approximately $1.5 trillion of global defence expenditure in 2024, accounting for more than half of worldwide military spending. The challenge now is ensuring that this investment translates into stronger industrial capacity, interoperability and innovation.
European and Global Defence Collaboration
A clear message throughout the exhibition was the importance of deeper international collaboration. European nations are actively seeking trusted partners that can support capability development, technology integration and industrial resilience.
The Canada–UK–European relationship has significant potential. The UK remains a key defence technology and industrial partner for Canada, while European nations are increasingly looking beyond traditional supply chains to build broader allied capability networks.
The opportunity exists to create stronger connections between Canadian innovators, European defence programmes and global prime contractors, creating a more integrated transatlantic defence industrial base.
Offsets, Industrial Participation and Supply Chain Optimisation
One of the most important themes discussed was the future role of offsets and industrial participation.
Modern defence procurement must deliver more than equipment acquisition. It must create economic value, strengthen domestic industrial capability and establish long-term international partnerships.
Defence supply chains are undergoing significant transformation. Recent conflicts have highlighted vulnerabilities in production capacity, access to critical materials and the ability to rapidly scale manufacturing.
Canada is well positioned to participate in this next generation of defence industrial cooperation by connecting Canadian companies into European and allied supply chains. Opportunities exist across advanced manufacturing, component production, sustainment, research and development, and technology partnerships.
AI, Cyber and Digital Defence Capability
Artificial intelligence, cyber security and digital transformation were among the strongest themes emerging from discussions.
The future battlefield will increasingly be shaped by data, automation and decision superiority. AI-enabled systems will support intelligence analysis, operational planning, predictive maintenance and enhanced situational awareness.
Cyber resilience has also become a fundamental defence requirement. As military systems become more connected, protecting networks, communications infrastructure and critical technologies will be essential to maintaining operational effectiveness.
Canada’s strong technology ecosystem provides an important foundation for collaboration in these areas, particularly with European partners looking to accelerate innovation while maintaining trusted supply chains.
Force Multipliers – UGV, UAV and Autonomous Systems
The growing importance of unmanned and autonomous systems was another major area of discussion.
Recent conflicts have demonstrated how Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs), Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), autonomous platforms and robotic technologies can act as force multipliers by increasing capability while reducing risk to personnel.
The defence sector is moving towards a model where affordable, scalable and rapidly deployable systems complement traditional platforms. This creates significant opportunities for Canadian and European companies to collaborate on next-generation capability.
Innovation and the Future Defence Industrial Base
A key takeaway from the exhibition was the strength of innovation taking place across the defence ecosystem. Smaller technology companies, research institutions and established defence organisations are increasingly working together to solve complex operational challenges.
The future defence industrial base will depend on agility, collaboration and the ability to move innovation from concept into operational capability.
Those nations that successfully connect government, military users, industry and technology innovators will be best positioned to respond to future security challenges.
Outlook for Canada–UK–European Defence Cooperation
The direction of travel is clear: defence cooperation between Canada, the United Kingdom and Europe will continue to deepen.
The combination of rising defence investment, industrial modernisation requirements and the need for resilient supply chains creates a strong foundation for long-term partnership.
Canada has an opportunity to play an increasingly important role within the allied defence network by providing trusted capability, advanced technology and industrial expertise. European partners, meanwhile, offer access to significant markets, established defence programmes and opportunities for collaborative growth.
The discussions and relationships developed during WCDIA demonstrate that collaboration remains the cornerstone of future defence capability. By working together, sharing innovation, strengthening industrial partnerships and building resilient supply chains, Canada and its European allies can deliver stronger security outcomes.
I would like to thank everyone who contributed to the success of the exhibition and to the many organisations who engaged in meaningful discussions throughout the event.
The momentum generated provides a positive platform for continued cooperation, collaboration and partnership across the global defence community. I look forward to supporting the continued growth of these relationships and helping connect Canadian capability with international defence opportunities.
Nicholas Cobb
European Director - WCDIA
For all post or membership enquiries, please email nic.cobb@wcdia.ca
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