21–24 OCTOBER 2025
/
CELJE FAIR, CELJE, SLOVENIA
/
Opening hours: 
9 AM – 5 PM
21–24 OCTOBER 2025
CELJE FAIR, CELJE, SLOVENIA
Opening hours
9 AM – 5 PM

Event and conference programme

Location: Conference Hall E

konferenca, conference
Tuesday, 21 October 2025
  • 09:00
    Visitors' registration
  • 10:00 – 10:45
    Official Opening of the Conference and the International SIDEC Fair
  • 14:00 – 15:30
    Strategy for the Development of the Defense Industry and Technological Base in the Republic of Slovenia (round table)
*The programme of the Official opening and Strategy presentation round table will be held in Slovene, with simultaneous interpretation into English language.
Wednesday, 22 October 2025
  • 09:00
    Visitors' registration
  • 10:00 – 12:00
    Future Technologies in R&D
  • 14:00 – 15:45
    Artificial Intelligence
Thursday, 23 October 2025
  • 09:00
    Visitors' registration
  • 10:00 – 12:00
    Energy Efficiency and Resilience
  • 14:00 – 16:20
    Cybersecurity
In the meantime, there will be time for networking and independent visit to the fair.

*The entire conference programme will be conducted in English without interpretation
Friday, 24 October 2025
  • 10:00
    Solemn conclusion of the official part of SIDEC 2025
  • 17:00
    Official closing of the SIDEC 2025 event

CONFERENCE PROGRAMME

PANNEL: Wednesday, 22 october 2025 / MORNING

PANNEL: FUTURE TECHNOLOGIES (R&D)

Join us at the central event, where we will present key future technology trends in the field of defense and security. The panel will provide an in-depth overview of strategic guidelines shaped by leading European organizations, including the European Commission, the European Defence Agency (EDA), NATO, and the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Slovenia. We will focus on strategic directions for the future of the defense industry, highlighting the need for collaboration between research, industrial, and political stakeholders at all levels – from research and development to the implementation of advanced defense technologies and their industrialization. At the same time, we will focus on political frameworks that shape defense in the EU, NATO, and Slovenia, and their crucial role in strengthening defense resilience, innovation, and technological progress.

The Faculty of Mechanical Engineering of the University of Ljubljana will contribute with a presentation of key research platforms, including the newly established Defense and Security Platform, which enables cutting-edge research and development in the fields of defense and space technologies.

9:00 - 10:00
ARRIVAL AND REGISTRATION
10:00 - 10:05
Opening Remarks with a focus on the key objectives of the event and the connection between research and industrial initiatives in defense technologies
dr. Janko Slavič and dr. Franci Pušavec
Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Ljubljana
10:05 - 10:25
European initiatives and strategies for the development of defense technologies and innovations, particularly within the EU defense industry
Kristine Rudzite
DG-DEFIS (Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space), European Commission
10:25 - 10:45
The integration of research, technology, and industry to strengthen European defense capabilities and key strategies / projects of the EDA
Nathalie Guichard
EDA (European Defence Agency)
10:45 - 11:05
NATO Diana initiative, focused on developing and accelerating defense innovations through partnerships between industry and research organizations & collaboration with startups in the development of new defense capabilities
Kadri Tammai
NATO Diana
11:05 - 11:20
Modern military challenges and strategies to enhance European defense resilience and challenges and opportunities faced by Slovenia in the defense sector
dr. Liliana Brožič
Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Slovenia
11:20 - 11:30
The research platforms of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering as key accelerators of defense innovations and synergies between academic research and industrial needs
dr. Janko Slavič and dr. Franci Pušavec
Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Ljubljana
11:30 - 12:00
Round table discussion on challenges and future of the slovenian defense industry
Kristine Rudzite, Nathalie Guichard, Kadri Tammai, dr. Liliana Brožič
12:00 - 14:00
LUNCH, NETWORKING BREAK AND FAIR VISIT

PANNEL: Wednesday, 22 october 2025 / AFTERNOON

PANNEL: ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

Join us for an event about the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in defense. We will discuss the role of AI in training and simulations, where it enables the creation of realistic and adaptive learning environments and operational scenarios, which significantly improves the readiness of forces for diverse and complex situations. A more detailed presentation about the use of AI avatars for training direct communication in hostile situations is the keynote topic. The challenges of autonomous systems and awareness of their surroundings and spatial orientation are solved with AI by connecting to multitude of sensors and sensor data fusion in real time. This significantly improves situational awareness, with multi-domain data integration and use of advanced methods for detecting, recognizing and tracking objects while properly deciding in critical situations. You will connect with experts from industry, research and defense sectors and gain insight into future of AI in defense.

14:00 - 14:15
AI Synthetic Humans for Training and Readiness: AI-Driven Assets in Operational Preparation
Bretten Gordeau
Invisible Arts
14:15 - 14:30
From Industry to Defense: How to Transfer Technological Innovations from Other Industries to Defense
Viktor Brajak
Medius
14:30 - 14:45
Leveraging AI to Improve Multi-Agent Simulation-as-a-Service
dr. Armando Geller
Scensei
14:45 - 15:00
The Use of Geospatial Intelligence to Support the Tactical Level of Warfare
Andrej Mesner
Igea
15:00 - 15:15
Real-Time Machine Learning Method for Robust Multi-Person 3D Human Pose Estimation in Low-Light Conditions
Matjaž Zupančič Muc
Guardiaris
15:15 - 15:30
Underwater and in the Air: Localization of Autonomous Systems in GNSS-Denied Environments
dr. Matej Dobrevski
Faculty of Computer and Information Science, University of Ljubljana
15:30 - 15:45
Advanced Localization and Environmental Mapping of UAVs Using SLAM Technology and Key Object Recognition with the YOLO Neural Network
prof. dr. Sašo Blažič
Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Ljubljana
15:45
END OF CONFERENCE AND FAIR VISIT

PANNEL: Thursday, 23 october 2025 / MORNING

PANNEL: ENERGY EFFICIENCY & RESILIENCE

Join us for a focused event on advanced energy solutions that bolster operational readiness and resilience in defense. We will highlight cutting-edge research in hydrogen, battery technologies, alternative fuels, and integrated multi-energy systems. These innovations aim to reduce logistical burdens, lower emissions, and ensure a reliable energy supply under demanding conditions. Hear how new approaches can minimize noise and thermal signatures, enhance off-grid capabilities, and ultimately strengthen mission effectiveness. Connect with experts from the defense, research, and industry sectors to help shape a cleaner, more secure future.

9:00 - 10:00
ARRIVAL AND REGISTRATION
10:00 - 10:05
Opening address
10:05 - 10:30
MOD Slovenia activities in the field of sustainable capability development, resilience and energy efficiency
Colonel Robert Šipec
Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Slovenia
10:30 - 10:50
The role of new low-carbon technologies and systems for modern defence
prof. dr. Mihael Sekavčnik
Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Ljubljana
10:50 - 11:10
Enhancing Energy Resilience in Defence: How Slovenian Industry supported by the Ministry of Defence Built a Model of National and International Cooperation
Matej Gajzer
TECES
11:10 - 11:30
The role of EDA in supporting the European ministries of defence in advancing resilient and efficient energy models
Maja Kuzel
European Defence Agency (EDA)
11:30 - 12:00
Open discussion, Q&A
12:00 - 14:00
LUNCH, NETWORKING BREAK AND FAIR VISIT

PANNEL: Thursday, 23 october 2025 / AFTERNOON

PANNEL: CYBER SECURITY

The panel on cybersecurity will cover a range of critical topics. Key discussions will include the role of cybersecurity in modern defence strategies, with insights from a EU official, and the opportunities for dual use in cybersecurity, focusing on how commercial sector achievements can be applied to defence, highlighted by the BRICO project. The current cyber threat landscape will be examined, addressing state-sponsored attacks and cyber espionage.

The Captech Cyber session will introduce the REMUDO project, a platform designed for situation awareness. Collaborative cyber defence initiatives, such as the Pesco CRRT project, will be discussed, emphasizing the development of a common cyber capability for responding to incidents and crises. Additionally, the challenges of cybersecurity in critical infrastructure during the quantum computing era will be addressed.

14:00 - 14:05
Opening Address
dr. Marko Hölbl
Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Maribor
14:05 - 14:30
The Role of Cybersecurity in Modern Defense Strategies
Andrea Pompili
CY4GATE
14:30 - 14:50
Research and development activities of Slovenian industry within the framework of European technological development initiatives
Ajda Vodlan, Mihael Nagelj
Logistics Directorate of the Ministry of Defence, Cybersecurity Section of the ZIT GZS
14:50 - 15:10
The Current Cyber Threat Landscape
Milan Gabor
Viris d.o.o.
15:10 - 15:30
Unified Cyber-Electromagnetic Defense: The REMUDO Platform for Multidomain Security
Andrea Pompili, Matjaž Breznik
Cy4GATE, Creaplus
15:30 - 15:50
Opportunities for Dual Use solutions in Cybersecurity
Matej Rabzelj
Cybersecurity Researcher, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Ljubljana
15:50 - 16:10
Cybersecurity in the Age of Quantum Computing
Peter Ceferin
Smart Com
16:10 - 16:20
Closing Remarks with Key Takeaways
dr. Marko Hölbl
Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Maribor
16:20
END OF CONFERENCE AND FAIR VISIT

*The organizer reserves the right to change the programme. The entire Conference Programme will be conducted in English without interpretation.