Assistant Professor
José Borges
The relevance of skills and research and technology development for Defense
Bio
José Borges is a mechanical engineer with a specialization in systems, automation, control and robotics. He got his PhD from Instituto Superior Técnico in nonlinear system identification.
He spent thirteen years working for Instituto Superior Técnico as a professor and researcher and two years as an invited researcher with the Delft Centre for Systems and Control, Technical University of Delft, The Netherlands.
He has specialized studies in management, by Instituto Superior de Economia e Gestão, and Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Technologies by COTEC Portugal, FLAD and ISCTE - Instituto Universitário de Lisboa.
Currently, José holds a teaching and research position with the Portuguese Military Academy. He is the Scientific Coordinator of the Military Mechanical Engineering Master Degree and Director of the Military Mechanical Engineering Laboratory.
His current RTD projects are in cyber defence and cybersecurity, decision support systems for command and control, and ballistics. José develops his research activities with the Military Academy Research Centre - CINAMIL.
Abstract
Keywords: Defence, Competencies, Skills, Research and Development
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The European defence sector needs critical skills and competencies to ensure technical proficiency and well-prepared personnel to ensure mission accomplishment and the capacity to deliver and operate high-tech solutions.
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These objectives apply equally to the Armed Forces and the European defence industrial base.
Therefore, most of the skills and competencies required in the defence sector are not necessarily sector-specific, as most are similar to others required in other sectors.
This conjuncture means that most military and company personnel will work on civil and defence technologies and products during their career.
The conjuncture will also likely promote mobility of staff between civil-military or to other industry sectors.
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The European Union is already developing programmes to boost defence industrial, research and capability development, such as the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) or the European Defence Fund (EDF).
In line with these initiatives, the strategies and programmes for developing, acquiring and retaining skills and competencies in the defence sector must also be addressed.
Through thoughtful planning, programmes, and policy instruments, the EU might seize the opportunity to develop a skilled and proficient task force to supply the needs of both the Armed Forces and the European industry, providing generational wealth and job opportunities for the future of the Union and its citizens.