#ESTMILTECH2024

January 24-25, 2024 in Tallinn, Estonia
About EstMil.tech 2024
Emerging technologies are rapidly changing the character of future warfare. The main goal for small countries should not be to describe and shape global strategic threats, but rather to be able to adapt quickly and respond effectively when facing possible threats. The applications of artificial intelligence (AI) and the vast variety of combinations of manned and unmanned systems and their completely new level of integration are the essential elements of warfare. In view of this, newly structured force capable of carrying out mosaic warfare is expected to appear on the battlefield in the future. Effects will become important features on the battlefield and this in turn will change significantly the tasks and roles of soldiers. As a result, there are increasing cognitive demands associated with the employment and use of new capabilities and deluge of information that appears in multi-sensor, virtual and augmented reality environments.


The main theme of the conference will be the challenges of military technology in a small country context. Sub-themes will include the role of military AI in future conflicts and the challenges of joint operations and electronic warfare.
The conference is open to security experts, representatives of the defence forces and defence industry, and researchers involved in the development of emerging and dual-use technologies.
The conference expects to cover:
• New players on the future battlefield
• The role of military AI in future conflicts
• Challenges and lessons learnt in military AI technology developments
• Measures to increase survivability through electronic warfare technologies
• Models for cooperation with small defence industries
Programme
January 24-25, 2024
TalTech Conference Centre, Ehitajate tee 5, Tallinn, Estonia
Wednesday, January 24
07:45 - 09:15 Registration and morning coffee
09:15 - 09:30 Welcome and Opening Remarks , Mr. Alar Karis, President of the Republic of Estonia
09:30 - 09:40 Rector's Tiit Land speech
09:40 - 10:25 Keynote 1: General (ret) Jörg Vollmer (Fraunhofer FKIE) – The Role of AI in Future Warfare
10:25 - 11:10 Keynote 2: Prof. Wolfgang Koch (University of Bonn, Fraunhofer FKIE) – The Challenges of Military AI Development
11:10 - 11:40 Refreshment break
11:40 - 12:10 Prof. Rain Ottis (TalTech) – From Science Fiction to Science Fact: Information Technology and the Modern Battlefield
12:10 - 12:40 Mairo Leier (TalTech) – Edge Computing and Embedded AI in Military Devices
12:40 - 14:10 Lunch
14:10 - 16:00 Posters and Demo Session
16:00 - 16:30 Tarmo Kalvet (TalTech) & Illimar Ploom (Estonian Military Academy) – Cooperation Models of the Defence Industry on the Example of Small States
16:30 - 17:15 Panel Discussion (Moderated session of Day 1 speakers)
19:30 - 22:30 Evening Reception
Thursday, January 25
10:00 - 10:45 Kaarel Piip (Estonian Military Academy) – Electronic Warfare: The Present and the Future
11:00 - 13:00 Parallel sessions
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Decision-Centric Warfare vs Mosaic Warfare, Moderator: Brig. Gen. Vahur Karus (Estonian Military Academy)
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Measures to Improve Survivability by Using the Concept of Electronic Warfare, Moderator: Kaarel Piip (Estonian Military Academy)
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The Development of Military AI Applications and Lessons Learned, Moderators: Mairo Leier (TalTech) & Villiko Nurmoja (SensusQ)
13:00 - 14:30 Lunch
14:30 - 17:00 Visits to Research Facilities (TBC)
Keynote speakers




General (ret) Jörg Vollmer
Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Koch
Prof. Rain Ottis
Dr. Mairo Leier
Fraunhofer FKIE, former Chief of the German Army and former Commander of Allied Joint Force Command Brunssum
Fraunhofer FKIE/University of Bonn
Professor of Cyber Operations and the Head of the Centre for Digital Forensics and Cyber Security in Tallinn University of Technology, Estonia.
Tallinn University of Technology
Conference Venue:
Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech)
Founded in 1918, TalTech is the flagship in engineering and IT science and education in Estonia, providing higher education at all levels in engineering and technology, information technology, economics, science, architecture and maritime. TalTech’s mission is to be a promoter of science, technology, and innovation and a leading provider of engineering and economic education in Estonia. TalTech is also becoming a modern digital campus that offers wide opportunities for smart city development and is a testing ground for Estonian companies to test their solutions.
With its scenic location in Mustamäe, TalTech is the only campus-type university in the Baltic countries and one of the most compact university campuses in Europe. Campus is the scene of many communal activities, with a large number of students, cultural and sports events. The campus of TalTech includes the Mektory Innovation and Business Centre and the Tehnopol Tallinn Science Park, where scientists, students and entrepreneurs meet to solve practical product development problems and generate new ideas for the future.
