The event will be attended by the Ministry of Defense at the opening session and will have three key moments: one that concerns the opportunities that exist in the defense sector, another where a meeting will be held in which the new challenges in the Defense, and a final one where the AuxDefense project will be presented.

AuxDefense is an initiative financed by the Ministry of National Defense that aims to develop advanced personal protective equipment with high impact resistance, cutting and drilling and components of military equipment (composites) with excellent impact resistance.

AuxDefense results in several innovative products, including ballistic vests and helmets and combat uniforms, including knee and elbow pads, using structures with auxetic behavior that will, in the future, be the cutting edge equipment of the military forces.

The knowledge generated in the development of these products will be made known through an International Platform for Advanced Materials for Defense. In addition, it can be used by the consortium entities, in the post-project, in different sectors where the needs of energy absorption and resistance to impact, cutting and drilling, assume a preponderant role, bringing an economic valuation of the financing attributed to the project .

In September 2018, an international conference within the scope of AuxDefense is expected to be organized.

The project proponent is TecMinho - Interface of the University of Minho, through the International Fibrenamics Platform. This entity of the National Scientific and Technological System was joined by two military entities - the Portuguese Army and the Portuguese Air Force - and several business entities: LMA, Latino Group, Fibrauto, Sciencentris and IDT Consulting. The consortium is complete with two international teaching and research institutions, namely Hong Kong Polytechnic University and British Plymouth University.