Daniel Fiott

Publications

  • Controlled Adaptation and Integration: Defence AI in Belgium

    Controlled Adaptation and Integration: Defence AI in Belgium

    Defense AI Observatory Belgium’s engagement with artificial intelligence (AI) in defence is best understood not as a dramatic technological leap, but as a series of pragmatic, institutionally embedded steps shaped by alliance politics, budgetary realism and an enduring preference for multinational solutions. Rather than positioning itself as an AI front-runner, Belgium has sought to integrate… Read more

  • Up in the Air: What Could FCAS Mean for Common EU Defence Projects?

    Up in the Air: What Could FCAS Mean for Common EU Defence Projects?

    CSDS POLICY BRIEF • 6/2026 The FCAS project appears to be over, at least in its original incarnation, although technological elements of the project may be salvaged, such as the development of a combat cloud. The case of FCAS serves as a cautionary tale for how to develop collaborative defence industrial programmes in Europe, especially… Read more

  • Europe’s Rearmament Dilemmas

    Europe’s Rearmament Dilemmas

    Current History, vol. 125 (2026) Europe has entered a profound rearmament cycle driven by Russia’s war on Ukraine, sharpening US strategic conditionality, and intensifying global geopolitical rivalry. After decades of underinvestment, European states are attempting to rebuild depleted stockpiles, scale up industrial production, and reconcile defense investments with fiscal, political, and technological constraints. The European… Read more

  • Taking the Pulse: Can European Defense Survive the Death of FCAS?

    Taking the Pulse: Can European Defense Survive the Death of FCAS?

    Europe’s next-generation fighter plane has not even taken off, and it looks as though it will be grounded indefinitely. The drama surrounding FCAS does not bode well for Franco-German defense industrial cooperation. Germany has long sought to use the FCAS project to develop its own national aeronautics industry and skills base, which is why Dassault—among… Read more

  • European Defence Projects of Common Interest: From Concept to Practice

    European Defence Projects of Common Interest: From Concept to Practice

    European Parliament The development of European Defence Projects of Common Interest (EDPCIs) represents a decisive step towards strengthening the EU’s crisis response, economic competitiveness and strategic autonomy. EDPCIs aim to overcome fragmented national defence efforts by promoting joint development, production and procurement of key military capabilities, enhancing the EU’s governance structure for defence investment. While… Read more

  • Which Type of Armament Cooperation Do We Want/Need? The Case of Spain

    Which Type of Armament Cooperation Do We Want/Need? The Case of Spain

    ARES Group (with Félix Arteaga) This paper is the second of the ARES series titled “Which type of armament cooperation do we want/need?”. The purpose of this series is to explore how EU Member States envision the future of armaments cooperation, taking in account the objective to develop joint procurement as promoted in the European… Read more