André Denk, Chief Executive of the European Defence Agency (EDA), visited Slovenia on 9-11 November 2026. He signed the EDA Programme Arrangement on Unmanned Aircraft Systems Training and Exercises (UAS TREX) with Minister of Defence Valentin Hajdinjak, and gave a keynote speech at SIDEC 2026, the Slovenia International Defence Exhibition and Conference in Celje.
“European defence readiness requires a collective effort. We need innovators, start-ups, SMEs and industry leaders working hand in hand with Member States' armed forces to turn innovation into military capabilities. We need to work together, move faster and deliver the capabilities Europe needs by 2030.” Denk said at SIDEC, speaking alongside Ukraine’s Deputy Minister of Defence Anna Gvozdiar and Slovenia's State Secretary Erik Kopač.
As part of the capital visits after taking up his post in 2025, Denk also met Minister Hajdinjak, National Armaments Director Uroš Korošec, Defence Policy Director Uroš Zorko, and Research, Technology and Innovation Director Ajda Vodlan. They discussed Slovenia’s contribution to EDA activities, defence readiness by 2030, the process of strengthening the Agency and EDA’s work in improving EU cooperation. Denk also met the Slovenian Defence Industry Cluster (GOIS) to discuss how Slovenian companies can take part in European defence cooperation.
As an Agency governed by its Member States, EDA attaches great importance to direct engagement with Ministers of Defence. These meetings help ensure that the Agency’s work remains closely aligned with national needs and priorities, while identifying how Member States can best leverage EDA to achieve their defence objectives.
Slovenia’s work with EDA focuses on land capabilities, drones and counter-drone systems, integrated air and missile defence, military mobility, research and technology, and energy resilience. It is co-Lead Nation of the
Priority Capability Area (PCA) on Quantum and also participates in the PCA on Drones and Counter-Drone Systems.
Slovenia is also a partner in EDA’s innovation work. Slovenian company C-Astral took part in the Agency's organised
Sentinel Strike Challenge, and Slovenia provided four independent external experts for the contest held in Portugal in September and October. Slovenia takes part in 14 EDA ad-hoc research and technology projects and programmes worth €71.76 million. Slovenian entities also participate in 28 projects selected under the European Defence Fund calls 2021-2025, two of which EDA manages on behalf of the European Commission.