The Spanish Government considers the national security & defence industry a key industrial sector in the country and wants to further support it. Defence Minister Margarita Robles said during her visit to the FEINDEF defence fair last Wednesday in Madrid that the sector stands for technology, research, development, innovation, modernity for the armed forces and job creation.
Earlier, at the FEINDEF opening ceremony, Spain’s Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares and the Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism, Maria Reyes Maroto, had each described the defence and security industry as a key sector for Spain’s economy with a high potential for dual-use products as well as development services in their video messages. Reyes Marotoannounced the continuation of extensive aid to the sector. One focus is on exports, the minister said.
Another goal of the Spanish Ministry of Defence is to encourage industry to become more European and international. Because everything that improves Spanish industry also helps to create jobs, Robles said. A topic also addressed by the EU High Representative Josep Borrell in his video message. He pointed to the newly launched European Defence Fund, which aims to improve cooperation between companies in the Union and create more interoperability.
Defence Minister Robles spent more than two hours on her tour of the fair, visiting more than 10 stands, including the stand of the United States, this year’s guest country. The USA was on hand with numerous exhibits from its own armed forces.
