Dual-use is a product of technological change, of the quest for cost effectiveness and human necessity, which in
turn responds to an evolving defence and security landscape. However, these important developments are raising serious questions about how firms and policy institutions can ensure the effective translation of commercial technologies into usable defence and security capabilities. There is no doubt that technological developments are leading to a change in the structure of defence markets in Europe. This is already occurring within defence firms. However, the changing face of these firms and the capabilities they develop will no doubt give food for thought about how EU policies can best respond to – and capitalise on – the challenges and opportunities embodied in dual-use technologies.