Portugal will host two NATO innovation centers – Science
According to the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and National Defence, there are two centers for innovation in information technologies in the area of defense, within the scope of the `DIANA´ project. [“Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic]recently approved by the Atlantic Alliance.
This project aims to “accelerate the development of emerging and disruptive technological solutions”, with dual use, civil and technological, and the use of priority used technologies by the Alliance: application of artificial intelligence, data processing, biotechnology, autonomous weapons systems, new materials and, according to a note posted yesterday on the NATO website.
The government states, in the statement, that Portugal will receive an accelerated testing center, of innovation in installation at Arsenal do Alfeite, SA, in Almada, and an Experimentation and Operational Center of the Navy, in Tróia, which needs to start operations in 2023. .
For the government, the installation of these structures in the national territory “represents a relevant opportunity for the national defense economy and its approach to the innovation network that is now born in the Alliance”.
Among the member states of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Portugal was one of the countries with two candidacies to participate in the project, approved, in the communiqué.
The DIANA project also targets researchers and technology companies to “solve critical security and defense problems.” Countries participating in the program will have access to various allied digital innovation hubs.