Rue d’Arlon 46 | 1000 Brussels

T +32 2 808 62 81 | E office@smeeurope.eu

European Defence and SMEs' Involvement: Innovation and New Technologies

Working Meeting - SME Europe Office (Rue d’Arlon 46, 1000 Brussels) & Online from 13:30 - 15:00 PM CET

Welcome & Opening

Riho TERRAS MEP
Chairman, EPP SME Defence Initiative; Vice-Chair, Committee on Security and Defence (SEDE), European Parliament

Keynote

Guillaume DE LA BROSSE
Head of Unit for Defence Policy and Innovation, European Commission

Statements & Reactions by the Members of the European Parliament

Statements & Reactions by the Business Sector Representatives

Moderated by

Horst HEITZ
Secretary General, SME Europe of the EPP

This SME Defence Initiative event will provide a platform to reflect on the European Commission’s plans in light of the White Paper for European Defence – Readiness 2030, and to discuss how small and medium-sized enterprises can strengthen Europe’s defence capabilities through innovation, investment, and skills development. SMEs play a key role in developing disruptive technologies for the European defence sector. Through targeted funding, dedicated calls, and specific incentives under EU defence programmes, they are increasingly recognized as essential drivers of innovation. Up to €840 million is expected to support SME activities between 2023 and 2027. However, many SMEs continue to face challenges in accessing skilled talent – particularly in fields like AI and quantum computing – and securing the necessary financing to scale.

This event will focus on discussing concrete steps to address these challenges, including how EU initiatives such as the European Defence Fund, EUDIS, and the upcoming FAST facility can better support SMEs in overcoming barriers and contribute to building a more resilient, innovative, and competitive European defence industry.

The publication of this document received financial support from the European Parliament. Sole liability rests with the author. The European Parliament is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.