Open Source: Key to Europe’s Defence Independence

Interview with Alexandra Paulus, SWP Germany "Open Source Could Be the Key to Europe’s Defence Independence"

2026-11-11 From Detlev Karg 5 min Reading Time

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Europe wants to reduce its dependence on foreign defence technologies. Yet US dominance in software, cloud services and semiconductors remains a major challenge. In an interview with Aerospace & Defence, security expert Alexandra Paulus discusses the risks and how Europe can respond.

Alexandra Paulus, cybersecurity and digital policy expert at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP), sees open-source software as an opportunity to strengthen Europe's defence industry and reduce technological dependencies.(Photo: Alexandra Paulus) — Alexandra Paulus, cybersecurity and digital policy expert at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP), sees open-source software as an opportunity to strengthen Europe's defence industry and reduce technological dependencies.
(Photo: Alexandra Paulus)

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