Kristýna Helm in an interview for Forbes: on defense, innovation, and the path to a strategic industry
Long-time faculty collaborator Dr. Kristýna Helm gave an interview to Forbes magazine, in which she openly describes the specifics of working in the defense and security industry, the challenges associated with innovation in defense, and the changes that are shaping the industry today. The interview highlights how challenging—and at the same time promising—it can be to succeed in a sector that is rapidly professionalizing, growing technologically, and placing high demands on professional preparedness.
In the interview, Dr. Helm emphasizes that the modern defense industry is increasingly interconnected with the civilian sector, technology companies, and international cooperation. At the same time, he describes why today it is no longer just about “traditional” military supplies, but about a complex ecosystem that includes research, development, legal frameworks, and international standards.
Thanks to his many years of experience in this field, Dr. Helm brings to the public debate his experience from the environment of state administration, companies, and European structures—and also emphasizes that working in defense requires not only professional knowledge, but also determination and the ability to bear responsibility in the long term.
Dr. Kristýna Helm
Vice President of the Defence and Security Industry Association of the Czech Republic, National Focal Point for the European Defence Fund, Deputy Head of the Czech Delegation to the NATO Industry Advisory Group, and Board Member of the NATO Science and Technology Organization
Where can you meet Dr. Helm at VŠE? In addition to regular contributions to FMV courses related to security and defense policy, Dr. Helm is the leader of the executive course Understanding Defense – A Business Perspective, organized as part of the Executive Academy FIR VŠE. The aim of the course is to present the complexity of the world of defense from a business perspective, to highlight how the acquisition process works, what the regulations are for the production and trade of military equipment, what the specifics are for trade and marketing in the field of defense technologies, and how to most effectively seek opportunities across current EU and NATO programs.
The Executive Academy is the center for executive education at the Faculty of International Relations of the University of Economics in Prague. It focuses on providing postgraduate education for graduates and professionals who seek to deepen their knowledge and skills in the fields of international relations, economics, technology, and sustainability. Executive Academy programs are designed to meet the needs of the modern work environment and support the career growth of their participants.