Syndicates play a crucial role in the European Union Military Academies Commandants’ Seminar (EUMACS) by facilitating collaborative discussions, knowledge exchange, and joint initiatives among participants. These syndicates provide a platform for Commandants, Commanders, lecturers, and young officers to share ideas, best practices, and experiences.
Purpose of Syndicates
The syndicates at EUMACS2025 will focus on critical topics related to the European Security and Defence Policy, with particular attention to the dynamic geopolitical landscape and the ongoing need for interoperability within EU military forces.
Key Objectives
- Collaboration: Strengthening ties between EU military academies and universities.
- Knowledge Sharing: Promoting the exchange of insights and experiences related to military training and education.
- Innovation: Encouraging the development of new strategies to address emerging security challenges.
- Policy Development: Discussing and proposing updates to current practices under the EMILYO programme.
Structure and Participation
Participants will be divided into thematic syndicates, each focusing on specific aspects of military education, training, and cooperation. Facilitators will guide discussions to ensure productive and goal-oriented outcomes.
Get Involved
Participation in the syndicates is open to all registered attendees of EUMACS2025. Attendees can indicate their preferred syndicate topics during the registration process.
The Military University of Technology in Warsaw and the Polish Air Force University in Dęblin are honoured to host this event and look forward to engaging, insightful, and productive syndicate discussions.
Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to prepare for EUMACS2025.
Description of syndicates
Syndicate - Discussion Panel I - 28th May, Military University of Technology
Topic: Development of unmanned aerial vehicles for the needs of the Polish and European Armed Forces
Description:
The panel will discuss issues related to the development of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), which have become one of the most researched military technologies, and the market for drones and UAVs has grown exponentially.
UAVs are becoming an essential part of modern armed forces around the world.
The capabilities of UAVs have evolved as operational requirements have changed, whether it is ISR assets for long range reconnaissance missions, soldier-born battlefield awareness mini UAS, or remotely piloted combat drones for precision strikes. For armed forces, the development of this technology is critical for a number of reasons, both from a defense and operational effectiveness perspective.
Syndicate - Discussion Panel II - 28th May, Military University of Technology
Topic: War in optoelectronic domain
Description:
Modern war is a war of technology. The winner is the one who has the most advanced technology. Modern war is fought in many layers. One of these key layers is undoubtedly military optoelectronics. The concept of optoelectronic warfare takes on even greater meaning due to the phenomenon of so-called radio silence.
In this context, the radio-electronic warfare known for many years is in many situations nowadays transferred to the optoelectronic layer.
Additionally, it becomes evident, that many weapons, deterrence, jamming, communication, detection or reconnaissance systems of the modern battlefield do not exist without advanced photonics. The world's leading arms companies are working on the development of these technologies for their armies and are also developing countermeasures against the systems of potential opponents. This is a specific arms race in the optoelectronic domain.
The seminar will be an opportunity to exchange experiences and discuss the maturity level of crucial military optoelectronics technologies like: laser weapons, guided munitions, optoelectronic support of fire control systems, space, optoelectronic countermeasures, unconventional military imaging systems, sensors, communication, drones detection/neutralization, identification friend-or-foe, CBRN stand-off detection, hyperspectral camouflage, 3D situational awareness and others.
In addition to the technologies themselves, it is intended to discuss the second key pillar of military power – personnel. The concept of “optoelectronics soldier” becomes reality. In this context, it will be reasonable to discuss the training system of military optoelectronics-dedicated personnel in individual countries and the potential to develop some common rules of this process.
Finally, we hope that the seminar will become an effective platform for establishing new contacts, possibly initiating cooperation towards joint projects in the future.
Syndicate - Discussion Panel I - 29th May, Polish Air Force University
Topic: European Air Force Academies Commandants’ Conference – EUAFA CC including the topic: Air Power in Hybrid Operations and its Significant Impact on Military Education
Description:
First part of the conference will be devoted to outlining the history, concept and objectives of EUAFA initiative. During this part, also current projects performed within EUAFA will be discussed, as well as other possibilities of cooperation between partners under EUAFA initiative.
Second part of the conference will be devoted to the topic: Air Power in Hybrid Operations and its Significant Impact on Military Education. The panel will mainly be designated for considerations on the nature of FIFTH GENERATION WARFARE, including the use of Air Power in Hybrid Operations and its influence on military education. In the frame of this part of the syndicate, we will try to answer the question - what kind of knowledge should our universities provide to their students to prepare them for using Air Power in hybrid operations in a possible future fifth-generation warfare? Taking into consideration that the so-called Fifth Generation War will be characterized by such features as widespread use of Artificial Intelligence and Autonomy across manned and unmanned components of the Air Power and comprehensive supplementation of the increasingly small fleet of manned aircraft with unmanned platforms, it is worth to develop a common idea / formula for teaching students in this domain.
Based on the views presented by the invited experts who hold key positions in the Polish Armed and Air Forces, the participants of the syndicate will have
the opportunity to express their views on the use of Air Power in hybrid operations in the light of fifth-generation warfare. The final product of our panel will be the development of general guidelines that could become part of the curricula at European air force universities.
Syndicate - Discussion Panel II - 29th May, Polish Air Force University
Topic: Air-Land & Maritime Integration in Multi-Domain Operations – Challenge to Military Education
Description:
The syndicate – discussion panel will explore whether European military academies are adequately equipping cadets with the knowledge and competencies required to operate effectively in increasingly complex Joint and Multi-Domain environments. Participants will examine the current and projected roles of EU military academies in preparing the next generation of warfighters and going officers to face anticipated future conflicts.
The group will analyze the integration of air, land, maritime, cyber, and space domain elements within existing curricula, identifying strengths and potential gaps. The discussion will also focus on opportunities to enhance education and training through cross-university collaboration, international programs, and immersive experiences that expose cadets to joint operational concepts and multi-domain thinking. Ultimately, the syndicate aims to recommend solutions to modernize and harmonize military education across Europe in response to evolving operational demands.
Syndicate - Discussion Panel III - 29th May, Polish Air Force University
Topic: Modern Combat Means of Warfare
Description:
The syndicate - panel discussion will focus on the combat use and strategic directions shaping contemporary and future armed conflicts. This high-level event brings together representatives of the European military academies, aiming not only to analyze the evolving security environment but also to emphasize the importance of cooperation and unity in strengthening European defense capabilities.
Four key domains will be addressed during the panel:
- Space – as an emerging dimension of warfare where the role of satellites and counter-space capabilities is rapidly growing;
- Cyber – focusing on asymmetric threats, artificial intelligence integration, and the resilience of critical infrastructure;
- Anti-access/area denial and missile defense systems – in the context of emerging technologies, air threats, and the integration of European A2/AD capabilities;
- Drone and autonomous technologies – exploring their role in reconnaissance, precision strikes, and future combat scenarios.
This panel will serve as a platform for exchanging expertise and promoting collaboration among European military academies. A particular emphasis will be placed on the role of military education in preparing a new generation of officers capable of operating in complex and integrated operational environments.
The discussion will highlight shared educational initiatives, interoperability, and the strengthening of a unified European defense posture.