The CEO of Indra Group highlights the strength of the European industry and calls for European industrial programs, joint acquisitions, better access to financing, and regulatory simplification

"Europe has companies with sufficient capabilities, but a gap still persists that we must overcome to achieve autonomy. To do so, it is essential to promote multinational programs, ensure stable investment, reduce bureaucracy, improve financing, and strengthen collaboration and innovation," José Vicente de los Mozos, CEO of Indra Group, told the European defence industry in his first speech at the European Defence & Security Summit.

The Indra Group CEO noted that “Indra is acting as a driving force, promoting Spanish companies, research centers, and universities to enhance their capabilities and achieve this autonomy”.

After acknowledging the need for greater investment, de los Mozos emphasized the importance of working more and better together “through flagship programs that help overcome the capability gap. We need to invest together.”

De los Mozos also outlined the six key areas of work to achieve European autonomy, which he summarized as: “launching multinational programs, having long-term visibility of procurement plans, establishing a clear legislative framework, facilitating access to financing—especially important for small businesses and SMEs—attracting talent, and learning to work as a team.”

Regarding the need to attract talent, Indra’s CEO stated, “We must ensure that young professionals want to work in the defense sector. We need to reach out to them and show them that we are developing the most advanced technologies in this field.”

As for the increase in the defense budget, José Vicente de los Mozos highlighted the significance of the new Industrial and Technological Plan for Security and Defense promoted by the Spanish Ministry of Defense, with an additional budget of over 10 billion euros and more than 30 programs. He affirmed that “Spain is on the right path” and that the industry must now work to create the necessary innovation ecosystem, secure talent, and improve coordination. He concluded by saying, “Europe is ready but needs an optimized industry,” and added that “if political and financial stability is maintained, the industry will know what to do” to achieve the goal of autonomy.

The European Defence & Security Summit has become one of Europe's main industry forums. Inaugurated by the European Commissioner for Defence and Space, Andrius Kubilius, it will also be attended by David Luengo, director of the Indra Group office in Brussels, on behalf of the Indra Group.