In this insightful interview at the Berlin Security Conference, Dr Maximilian Apel, CEO of Buoyancy Aerospace, discusses Europe’s current geopolitical and security landscape. He identifies three common misconceptions: the role of the U.S., the focus solely on the Ukraine war, and the notion of quick fixes. Dr Apel warns that Europe must address root causes, overcome fragmentation in defence infrastructure, and standardize systems to ensure long-term security. On Buoyancy Aerospace’s strategy, he emphasizes a “long game”: the company prioritizes meritocracy, sustainable growth, and a strong European footprint across the UK and Germany, rather than short-term profits, positioning itself as a resilient player in aerospace innovation.