It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to the signing ceremony of the executive regulation for the implementation of the research and innovation programmes "Dual-Use Technologies" and "Classified Laboratories - Dual-Use Technologies".
The executive regulation includes the details of the implementation of the mentioned programmes, within the framework of the Memorandum of Cooperation signed by the Ministry of Defence and the Foundation in 2020, which we hope will be the driving force for the development of the research and innovation ecosystem in the fields of dual-use technologies.
An important objective of the Ministry of Defence is the practical strengthening of the research capacity of domestic academic and research institutions, organisations and businesses, by supporting their participation in research and innovation programmes, which fall within the operational interests of the Ministry, at national and European level.
Demonstrating in practice the consistency and continuity in the declarations of the Memorandum of Understanding with the Foundation, we have jointly proceeded to design research and innovation programmes in dual-use technologies. It is also an important success that for their implementation a total funding of €3 million has been secured from the Recovery and Resilience Fund.
Specifically, the design and implementation of the programmes aims to develop the local research and innovation ecosystem in dual-use technologies, both through research and development projects for civilian applications and through the creation and/or upgrading of classified laboratories, which can be used in the implementation of research and innovation activities. The Dual-Use Technologies programme, with a total budget of €2,720,000, aims to fund at least 7 R&D projects,
and
b. The "Classified Laboratories - Dual-Use Technologies" programme, will fund proposals for research and innovation laboratory security site certification, with a total budget of €195,000.
We are convinced that these programmes will enhance:
[*]The competitiveness of Cypriot enterprises, with a consequent contribution to the development of the Cyprus economy through the creation of new or improved products, methods and technologies. [*]The transfer of knowledge and know-how within the Cypriot industrial ecosystem, [*]The encouragement of cooperation between the actors of the ecosystem, and [*]The capacities and capabilities of Cypriot actors in the field of dual-use technologies in order to be able to participate in European level programmes.
The deadline for submitting proposals for the Dual Use Technologies programme has recently closed. There has been considerable interest with the participation of research and development companies, as well as research organisations from the local research and innovation ecosystem.
A good number of proposals have been submitted in all the thematic areas prioritised by the MoE, which are:
[*]Maritime surveillance, [*]Communications networks, [*]Unmanned vehicles (Drones and small maritime vessels), [*]Active protection of critical infrastructure from drone threats, [*]Advanced personnel training through simulation, and [*]Artificial intelligence applications.
I would like to stress that, through these programmes, the Ministry expects and expects from the research activities of the institutions and development companies substantial research results, which will offer innovative solutions, will be characterised by a high level of technological maturity and will show potential for commercial exploitation.
At this point, I would like to thank the Foundation for the unanimous and constructive cooperation during the planning of the programmes, expressing the certainty that this will continue in the future.
