Defense, Security & Space: The sudden return of power

Understanding the new era of strategic power, sovereignty, and technological superiority

Explore the key defense, security, and space trends reshaping Europe and the global strategic landscape. Discover how governments, armed forces, and industry leaders are responding to geopolitical tensions, multi-domain warfare, AI acceleration, cyber threats, and the growing importance of strategic autonomy.

Download the report to access expert insights, market trends, and actionable recommendations for decision-makers.

Why this defense, security & space trend report matters?

The global security environment has entered a new phase. Traditional assumptions about stability, alliances, and globalization are being challenged by emerging conflicts, technological disruption, and increasing geopolitical competition.

This report examines how defense organizations, governments, and industry stakeholders can adapt to a world defined by saturation, resilience, and strategic sovereignty.

Key topics covered:

Defense transformation strategies
Military innovation and emerging technologies
Space security and orbital defense
Artificial intelligence in defense operations
Counter-drone capabilities
Quantum technologies for security
Multi-domain command and control
Supply chain resilience and strategic autonomy

Read our Digest

The 4 dimensions of strategic saturation

Today's security environment is shaped by unprecedented levels of saturation across multiple domains.

The rapid growth of satellite constellations is transforming military and civilian operations while creating new security challenges.

Disinformation campaigns, influence operations, and deepfake technologies are increasingly targeting public trust and decision-making processes.

Low-cost drones and autonomous systems are changing the economics and dynamics of warfare.

The explosion of sensors, intelligence sources, and information flows demands advanced data fusion and real-time decision support capabilities.

10 Strategic Defense and Security trends shaping the future

The ten trends presented in this document are part of this transformation. They outline a coherent system serving a single objective: preserving freedom of action in a saturated and contested world:

Winning the war before the war: acting in the information domain

Information has become a battlespace. States must counter disinformation, influence operations and cognitive warfare to protect decision-making, public trust and operational freedom.

Strengthening air defence through counter-drone measures

The proliferation of low-cost drones is reshaping warfare. Effective detection, tracking and neutralization capabilities are now essential to protect forces and critical infrastructure.

Providing Europe with a space defence capability

As space becomes increasingly contested, Europe must protect its orbital assets, secure access to space-based services and strengthen its strategic autonomy.

Orchestrating multi-domain military action

Future operations depend on the ability to connect sensors, systems and forces across land, sea, air, cyber and space to accelerate decision-making and deliver coordinated effects.

Building sovereign, secure and trustworthy defence AI

AI is becoming a decisive military enabler. Europe must develop sovereign, explainable and secure AI systems that can be trusted in critical operational environments.

Sharing and utilising data in operations

Data superiority is critical to operational superiority. Secure data sharing and exploitation enable faster decisions, greater interoperability and more effective missions.

Moving from exploration to action with quantum

Quantum technologies are moving from research to operational applications, offering new opportunities in sensing, communications, optimization and cybersecurity.

Restoring strategic depth

High-intensity conflicts have highlighted the need for resilient supply chains, industrial capacity, stockpiles and the ability to sustain military efforts over time.

Integrating drones into combat at scale

Drones are becoming ubiquitous on the battlefield. Military forces must learn to deploy, coordinate and sustain them at scale as part of combined-arms operations.

Structuring new defence innovation models

The pace of technological change requires new approaches that connect armed forces, industry, startups and investors to accelerate innovation and capability delivery.

In this context, Sopra Steria stands out as a key player in the transformation of Defence and Security in Europe. Convinced that today’s challenges shape the future, we harness innovation, expertise and hybrid approaches to strengthen the security of states, systems and data.

As a leading European partner in digital sovereignty, we contribute to building European strategic autonomy. By connecting systems, data and stakeholders, we enable resilient and interoperable operations, from command to execution, through C2, AI, cybersecurity, autonomous systems, the secure cloud and supply chain resilience.

Download the Defense, Security & Space full trend report

Access exclusive expert analysis on the future of defense, military innovation, space security, artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, and strategic autonomy.