Professor Draghi’s proposal for EDIP’s funding, an ad-hoc financial instrument, is welcomed, as it secures financial resources to production and acquisition of strategic capabilities within a new and distinct defence industry policy. “A more efficient way of funding and procurement planning constitute welcome steps as it will better support European SMEs who are most impacted by this concern” points Benoît Chaucheprat, Chairman of the Strategic Board of C&V Consulting.
New incentives for supporting a common approach to defence procurement by Member States will strengthen the demand for EU defence products. The political commitment to implement the “European preference principle” will constitute both the main enabler and precondition to give substance to the EU’s strategic autonomy” says Jean-Marc Vesco, C&V Consulting’s Chief Executive Officer, a principle defended by C&V Consulting since its foundation.
Among the main topics raised by Professor Draghi’s report, the proposal to step up EU R&D and R&T efforts in the defence sector and to give greater emphasis on ‘dual-use items’ can be welcomed by the EDTIB. Indeed, it will help to address the lack of a culture of reversibility and transfer of innovation (‘spin-ins’ and ‘spin-outs’) between the defence and civilian sectors, whose contribution is particularly valuable when it comes to new cutting-edge technologies.
With regards to the need to catch up with the technological developments of the EU’s competitors, access to finance is one of the main vectors for determining the potential of European SMEs to contribute to the EU’s defence industrial capabilities. “The modification of the EIB’s lending policies on the exclusion of defence investment, beyond those for dual-use projects, must be at the top of the new Defence Commissioner’s portfolio” adds Benoît Chaucheprat.
About C&V Consulting
C&V Consulting is the only Brussels-based consultancy specializing in the European defence markets. Our consultants help our European clients to seize opportunities for contracts, grants or synergies at the European level, including helping them to develop innovative proposals both in line with their costumers’ needs and their business strategy.
C&V Consulting is involved in multiple projects selected by the European Commission either as a partner or in support of project coordinators.
Find more about our activities on our website www.cnv-consulting.eu and/or on LinkedIn.
For any questions, contact Sierra Tango (Press relations) or C&V Consulting: press@sierra-tango.eu, contact@cnv-consulting.eu.