Past Event

Opportunities for US investors in the European Dual-Use & Defense Technology Sector

Wed. October 14, 2026 08:30 am - 10:30 am !RSM Offices New York, NY 10036

Europe’s defense sector is undergoing a profound transformation, marked by record levels of public spending, new EU funding instruments, and a rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape. At the same time, private capital—particularly from the United States—is increasingly exploring opportunities in European defense and dual-use technologies, from drones and AI to satellite infrastructure and cybersecurity.

This seminar brings together leading legal and financial experts from both sides of the Atlantic to examine the investment case for European defense, assess the gap between political commitments and actual capital deployment, and explore how regulatory, legal, and market structures shape cross-border investment strategies.

Panelists will discuss key themes including the fragmentation of European defense markets, evolving ESG considerations, valuation dynamics, and the unique role of governments as primary buyers. The program will also address critical legal and regulatory challenges, such as foreign investment screening, export controls, and the complexities of transatlantic partnerships.

Concretely we will cover issues such as:
• The Investment Case – Why Europe, Why Now?
• What has changed over the past three to five years that has transformed European defense from a niche investment area into a mainstream investment theme?
• How do you characterize the current European defense market from an investment perspective?
• Are investors reacting to a short-term geopolitical cycle, or are we witnessing a structural multi-decade investment trend?
• We have seen enormous government commitments announced across Europe. Where are we seeing actual capital deployment and where is it still stuck in the pipeline?
• The Market Landscape: Europe is often described as a collection of national defense markets rather than one unified market. How does this fragmentation impact the investment thesis?
• Which dual-use technologies are attracting the greatest investor interest today
• What characteristics separate the next generation of winners from the rest of the market?
• How scalable are these businesses given Europe's procurement and regulatory complexities?
• What are the biggest barriers to creating pan-European defense champions?
• What is the first regulatory issue a U.S. investor should understand before entering this market?
• How significant are foreign investment review processes across Europe?
• How do export controls influence investment decisions and transaction structures?

With a focus on the major European defense markets, as well as the broader EU–US investment corridor, this event is designed for executives, investors, and advisors seeking practical insights into one of the fastest-growing and most strategically important sectors of the global economy.

SPEAKERS: 
• Florian Becker, Partner, NOERR
• Peter E. Jeydel, Partner, TROUTMAN PEPPER LOCKE
• David Rose, Senior Manager, PORSCHE CONSULTING
• Brian Deming, Industrial Senior Analyst, RSM US [Moderator]

TIME:
8:30 AM - 9:00 AM - Registration
9:00 AM - 10:15 AM - Discussion
10:15 AM - 10:30 AM - Networking

 

LOCATION:
RSM US Offices
151 W 42nd St, 19th floor
New York, NY 10036

 

NOTE: This program is offered as an in-person event and will not be live-streamed or recorded.


Registration is closing at 2pm ET on October 13th (Tuesday).