Europe Needs a Properly Functioning Defence Equipment Market

, BRUSSELS, Belgium: In order for the European Defence Technology and Industrial Base (DTIB) to be competitive on a global market, it is imperative that we create a properly functioning European Defence Equipment Market, said Mr Ake Svensson, President Elect of the AeroSpace and Defence Industries Association of Europe (ASD) and CEO of SAAB Group. Mr. Svensson was speaking at the conference on the European Defence and Technology Industrial Base organised by the European Defence Agency. 
 
However, while the market is essential to creating demand-pull for a European DTIB, investment in key technologies and competencies is mandatory to generate supply side push. This is still lacking. Europe is in real need of a Strategic Research Agenda in the defence sector. Referring back to the highly beneficial experience of ACARE in the civil aeronautic environment, ASD therefore renews its proposal to create a group of Wise Men to make proposals on key technologies and competencies for defence. 
 
Industry also sees three main opportunities for progress in R&T under EDA