From 20–21 May 2026, the University of Technology in Kaunas (K. Donelaičio g. 73, Lithuania) hosted the COST Action CA23129 WG5 workshop titled “Revisiting the European Security Architecture”. The workshop brought together researchers and practitioners to critically reflect on the evolving European security architecture and the challenges shaping its current and future development. The event was designed to combine academic discussion with practitioner insights, focusing on key security dynamics in Europe, institutional adaptation, crisis response mechanisms, and the increasing influence of emerging technologies on security and defence.
The workshop opened with an informal session reflecting on how the current European security architecture has developed over time and which historical and political processes have shaped it. This provided a shared starting point for discussions on continuity and change in European security governance. The second day focused on practitioner-informed discussions addressing different dimensions of the European security architecture, including national defence strategies, EU-level security and defence policy, civil society engagement, and hybrid approaches to crisis management. Key topics included total defence and resilience approaches, the role of non-governmental actors in security support structures, institutional developments within EU defence policy, and the integration of specialised units into modern security frameworks.
A dedicated part of the workshop addressed the growing role of drone technologies in contemporary security environments. Discussions focused on their use in surveillance, reconnaissance, and operational support, as well as their broader implications for modern defence systems and security governance. This segment highlighted how technological innovation is increasingly reshaping security practices and operational thinking in Europe.
The WG5 workshop in Kaunas provided a multidisciplinary platform for examining the transformation of the European security architecture. By bringing together academic and practitioner perspectives, the event highlighted the complexity of current security challenges and emphasized the importance of adaptability, cooperation, and technological awareness in shaping Europe’s future security landscape.