Defense SMEs: Challenges and Opportunities

In April, the chapter organized in coordination with the Portuguese Industrial Association (AIP), EuroDefense-Portugal and Universidade Lusofona a seminar on “The Defense SMEs in the Context of a New Post-December 2013 European Council Agenda: Challenges and Opportunities,” hosted by the university. The minister of national defense, Jose Pedro Aguiar-Branco, chaired the closing session, and the secretary of state for national defense, Berta Cabral, chaired the opening session. This forum captured the attention of more than 100 attendees from the armed and security forces, government departments, academia and industry. The event was focused on strengthening the sustainability, the competitiveness and the efficiency of the European defense technological industrial base, in particular the small- and medium-size enterprises (SMEs), as a fundamental pillar to the reinforcement of the economy. Session 1, "A Competitive Defense Industry as a Key Link in the Economy," covered the European and national visions with presentations by Paul Anciaux, policy officer responsible for defense industry, European Commission, and by Maj. Gen. Manuel de Matos Gravilha Chambel, PRT AF, Portuguese National Armaments director. During Session 2, four national companies (Active Space Technologies, A. Silva Matos Metalomecanica, Frezite and BEL Group) shared their strategic visions and experiences in the field of defense and security. Session 3 covered the topic "R&DT and Innovation in Times of Economy Austerity: Maximizing Civil-Military Synergies and Promoting Dual-Use Projects.” The first presentation by Col. Albuquerque, PRT A, National Armaments Directorate, addressed the theme “Implementation of the National DTIB Strategy.” Then, opportunities for fostering the National DTIB were presented by Tarja Jaakkola, acting director, European Synergies and Innovation Directorate, European Defense Agency; Conceio Moreno, Agency for Development and Cohesion, Portuguese Ministry of Economy; and Fernando D. Carvalho, national POC for security, H2020 Portuguese Promotion Office. At the closing session, the Minister of National Defense highlighted the importance of research, development and innovation for the defense industry and also stressed the importance of SMEs in the defense sector, noting however that due to the present level of prosperity and well being of the people, less importance is often given to the area of defense and its essential role in ensuring security.

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