Brussels [Belgium]: In a major step toward strengthening European security and strategic autonomy, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Monday convened the first-ever Strategic Dialogue with leaders from the European defence industry.
This high-level meeting emphasized the urgent need for Europe’s defence sector to scale up production, innovate faster, and become more competitive on a global level.
Taking to social media platform X, von der Leyen stated:
“As our Union takes on greater responsibility for its defence, we need a strong defence industry. It’s not only a matter of security – but also competitiveness. I met with European industry leaders to hear from them how we can support this crucial sector even more.”
Key Highlights from the Strategic Dialogue:
✅ Urgent Need for Scale & Speed
Von der Leyen stressed that the defence sector must respond more rapidly and at a larger scale, especially in light of heightened geopolitical tensions, notably since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
✅ Acknowledging Industry Efforts
She praised the industry for significantly ramping up defence production, opening new factories, and responding effectively to wartime demands.
✅ Addressing Persistent Challenges
The President identified several structural barriers the defence sector continues to face:
- Market fragmentation (on both demand and supply sides)
- Regulatory obstacles
- Access to raw materials
- Short innovation cycles and limited feedback loops
- Insufficient finance channels
- Workforce gaps, especially in STEM skills
✅ Next Steps: The Defence Omnibus Package (June 2025)
The Commission plans to launch a comprehensive Defence Omnibus Package in June 2025, aimed at:
- Simplifying certification and permit systems
- Enhancing joint procurement
- Strengthening regulatory coordination
✅ Dialogue Outcomes & Focus Areas
Participants engaged in constructive discussions across key themes:
- Investment strategies
- Defence industrial cooperation
- Innovation and R&D
- Supply chain resilience
- Workforce and skills development
The European Commission reiterated its commitment to collaboration with industry leaders and invited further feedback to help shape future policy tools.