Innovative SMEs, regional start-ups and local industrial ecosystems must play a central role in strengthening Europe's defence industry. This was the key message delivered by Fernando López Miras (ES/EPP), President of the Region of Murcia, during the debate on the EU Defence Industry Transformation Roadmap at the European Committee of the Regions. EPP-CoR members called for simpler access to funding and defence contracts, targeted technical assistance and greater recognition of regional industrial capabilities to ensure that businesses across Europe can contribute to the development of a stronger European defence sector.
Fernando López Miras, who chairs the CoR's Working Group on Defence, stressed that regions are indispensable partners in developing Europe's defence industrial capabilities. He highlighted the need to support innovative SMEs and start-ups, enabling them not only to participate in supply chains led by major companies but also to develop their own technologies and industrial capacities. “Highly innovative SMEs and regional start-ups must be at the heart of Europe's defence industry. However, the specific characteristics of the defence sector require targeted support to enable them to access European value chains. In addressing this challenge, regions are indispensable partners,” he said.
Alfonso Rueda Valenzuela (ES/EPP), President of the Regional Government of Galicia, focused on the barriers preventing smaller businesses and peripheral regions from participating fully in Europe's defence industry. “To strengthen Europe's industrial and technological capabilities in security and defence, we must ensure that SMEs and local stakeholders can actively participate in European defence value chains. This requires reducing bureaucracy, simplifying access to funding and providing adequate technical support, particularly for peripheral regions,” he stated.
María del Mar Vaquero Perianez (ES/EPP), Vice-President and Regional Minister for the Presidency, Justice and Culture of the Government of Aragón, highlighted the importance of helping regional companies adapt their production processes, obtain certifications and secure contracts in the defence sector. Drawing on Aragón's experience, she explained: “This is why, in Aragón, we have launched a Defence Hub and a Defence Strategy, bringing together public-private partnerships and interinstitutional cooperation to strengthen our industrial capabilities. Europe must make better use of the knowledge and expertise of its regions to identify their industrial potential and ensure that its defence roadmap provides accessible financing, technical assistance and simplified access to contracts.”
The debate highlighted the importance of ensuring that Europe's defence industrial transformation reaches businesses and territories of all sizes. By strengthening regional industrial ecosystems, reducing administrative barriers and providing targeted support to SMEs, the EU can broaden participation in its defence value chains while reinforcing Europe's industrial and technological capabilities.