SEKPY – the Hellenic Manufacturers of Defence Materiel Association – successfully hosted a high-profile closed-door meeting of National Defence Industrial Associations (NDIAs) on 7 May 2025, during the international defence exhibition DEFEA 2025, in which SEKPY is a proud co-organiser.

The meeting brought together senior representatives from Portugal, Austria, France, Italy, Bulgaria, Republic of Cyprus, Greece, Netherlands, Spain and Czech Republic to advance dialogue at a critical juncture for Europe’s defence and security landscape. The gathering also included the observing participation of Mr Andrea Barbagelata, Chair of the SME Council of ASD.

The event underscored the indispensable role of Europe’s defence industries in upholding peace, security, and strategic autonomy—particularly in the wake of the war in Ukraine. As participants emphasised, the defence sector has evolved from being a passive policy recipient to becoming a central pillar of European resilience and sovereignty.

In this context, the meeting issued a clear and urgent call to adapt the European defence procurement framework to reverse recent procurement trends favouring non-European suppliers. A central focus was the need to reform the EU’s defence procurement rules—specifically through pragmatic updates to Directive 2009/81/EC—in line with the strategic objectives of the European Defence Industrial Strategy (EDIS), the European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP), and the ReArm Europe initiative.

These adaptations are deemed essential to reflect the EU’s novel defence posture and enhanced strategic ambitions.

Also read: SEKPY | International Cooperation Agreements and MoUs Signed at DEFEA 2025

Participants also highlighted the importance of a unified front among National Defence Industrial Associations (NDIAs) to effectively advocate for the sector’s regulatory, financial, and operational needs. In this light, they stressed the need to mobilise additional resources to reinforce Europe’s defence industrial base—particularly through targeted investment in a skilled workforce capable of driving innovation and sustaining industrial resilience across the entire value chain.

According to the press release, the group examined strategies to safeguard the competitiveness and continuity of Europe’s defence sector, including the use of targeted aid, investment support instruments, and the efficient deployment of financial and human capital. Support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) featured prominently, with participants endorsing the establishment of a dedicated ASD-SME Council to facilitate equitable access to funding, procurement, and innovation opportunities within the European defence ecosystem.

Finally, the strengthening of the European Defence Fund (EDF) was identified as a priority. Participants called for increased budget allocations, improved co-funding mechanisms, more robust procurement commitments from Member States, and enhanced support for skills development and the innovation pipeline.

Overall, the consensus and priorities forged during the meeting will not only serve as a foundation for coordinated action in the years ahead but also as the launchpad for a structured and sustained dialogue between NDIAs, European policymakers, and institutions.

SEKPY, together with its esteemed counterparts, reaffirms its commitment to fostering cooperation, representing the Greek defence industry, and contributing actively to Europe’s collective defence readiness and industrial resilience.

Also read: SEKPY | Helpdesk Platform for EDF & Co-Funded Projects showcased at DEFEA 2025