General Sir Richard Barrons, Co-Chair of Universal Defence and Security Solutions (UDSS), visited Bulgaria for the Regional Defence and Security Summit, contributing to discussions on the changing character of warfare and the importance of dialogue between the military and industry.
The summit, held in Sofia on 21 October 2026, brought together policymakers, military leaders, industry executives, innovators and investors to consider how European defence ambitions can translate into stronger capabilities, industrial growth and regional security.
Richard’s visit combined diplomatic engagement with participation in the summit programme, providing opportunities to exchange perspectives with Bulgarian political leaders, analysts and members of the wider defence community.
Engagement at the British Ambassador’s residence
Ahead of the summit, His Excellency Nathaniel Copsey, British Ambassador to Bulgaria, hosted Richard at a lunch with Bulgarian political leaders and analysts at the Ambassador’s residence in Sofia.
The gathering provided a setting for discussion ahead of Richard’s keynote contribution to the summit and an opportunity to hear perspectives from across Bulgaria’s political and analytical community.
Such exchanges are valuable in building the relationships and mutual understanding that underpin cooperation between allies. They also create space to consider national and regional priorities alongside the wider challenges facing European defence.
The changing character of war
During an on-stage interview at the summit, Richard was asked questions ranging from the character of war in the 21st century to the importance of dialogue between the military and industry.
These subjects sit at the heart of the challenge facing defence organisations: how to understand a changing operational environment and translate that understanding into capabilities that can be delivered at scale and sustained.
For industry, meaningful engagement with military users helps connect innovation with operational requirements. For the military, dialogue with businesses offers a clearer understanding of what technology, manufacturing capacity and commercial expertise can provide.
Maintaining that exchange is essential to identifying practical opportunities, testing assumptions and improving the path from an emerging idea to a usable capability.
Innovation and Bulgaria’s role in European defence
At the summit, Richard also met Ivan Vasilev, Bulgaria’s Minister of Innovation and Digital Transformation.
Their discussion formed part of a wider event focused on the relationship between security, technology and industrial development. The summit programme addressed regional defence readiness, investment, dual-use innovation and the partnerships needed to strengthen Europe’s defence industrial base.
For Bulgaria and its regional partners, these questions connect national expertise and industrial capacity with collective security needs. For organisations working across European defence, they underline the value of understanding local priorities and developing relationships across borders.
Joining Defence Forward Live
Richard also took part in the Defence Forward Live podcast at the summit, hosted by Jonathan Winch and Dan Kucherenko.
The appearance added a further forum for conversation alongside his other summit engagements. Defence Forward brings together perspectives on defence technology, operational experience and the people shaping developments in Ukraine’s defence sector.
Connecting military experience with industry
Richard’s engagements in Sofia reflect the importance of bringing political, military and commercial perspectives into the same conversation.
Stronger defence capability depends on a shared understanding of operational needs, the ability to draw on relevant expertise and relationships that support practical cooperation.
UDSS works at this intersection, bringing military, government and commercial experience to organisations addressing defence and security challenges.
To discuss how UDSS can support your organisation with defence strategy, capability development or engagement with the defence sector, contact our team.