EUROPEAN DEFENSE ADVOCACY AND LOBBYING

Defense advocates are increasingly concentrating their efforts on EU officials and policy-makers. While lobbying activities have traditionally interested Member States; defense and security integration at the European level have progressively drawn attention of European defense companies.

European defense companies engage in lobbying both individually and collectively. Most of them have offices in Brussels and employ lobbyists with direct access to the European Parliament. Companies may also use consultancies and intermediaries that lobby on their behalf.

Defense  companies also gather in associations and groups that promote the interests of the industry as a whole e.g. Aerospace, Security and Defence Industries Association of Europe (ASD) which includes leading European companies, but also national industrial associations. ASD’s main role is to defend the interests of the industry by speaking on its behalf in EU institutional setting. ASD has great influence on the Commission.

The European Organization for Security (EOS) is another industry association that includes defense companies.

Either individually or collectively, defense companies are able to shape and participate in political initiatives through diverse lobbying channels. Defense and security fairs  constitute one. These events allow industrial players to meet EU officials and discuss policies. DSEI, Eurosatory and the Paris Air Show are some examples. Conferences provide a similar opportunity, playing a key role in establishing networks among policy-makers, lobby groups and think tanks.

Official meetings between defense companies and officials working in EU institutions and agencies constitute another channel. It is especially worth considering meetings between industrial representatives and Commission officials due to the latter’s efforts to shift defense and security from the national to the European level.  Support from the industry has given the Commission the power to assume a driving role in increasingly shifting defense to the European level. In turn it has allowed the industry to contribute to shaping the Common Security and Defense Policy (CSDP) while benefiting from EU funding provided by initiatives under this very framework. Overall, this has led to creation and progressive consolidation of a European defense technological and industrial complex which brings together institutions and agencies of the EU and the European defense industry.

National Security and Defense Industry Associations

ASD- Aerospace and Defence Industries Association of Europe.

Austria

• ADIG-Austrian Defence Industry Association
• AAI-Austrian Aeronautics Industries Group

Belgium

• BDSI-Belgian Security & Defence Industry

Bulgaria

• BDIA-Bulgarian Defence Industries Association

Croatia

• HGK- Croatian Chamber of Economy

Cyprus

• CCCI- Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Czech Republic

• DSIA-Defence and Security Industry Association of the Czech Republic
• ALV-Association of the Aerospace Manufacturers

Denmark

• FAD- Danish Defence and Security Industries Association

Estonia

• Estonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
• EDIA- Estonian Defence Industry Association

Finland

• AFDA- Association of Finnish Defence & Aerospace Industries

France

• GIFAS- French Aerospace Industries Association (Groupement des Industries Françaises Aéronautiques et Spatiales)
• GICAN- Groupement des Industries de Construction et Activités Navales
• GICAT- Groupement des Industries Françaises de Défence Terrestre

Germany

• BDSV-Federation of German Security and Defence Industries
• BDLI- German Aerospace Industries Association (Bundesverband der Deutschen Luft-und Raumfahrtindustrie e.V.)

Greece

• SEKPY- Hellenic Manufacturers of Defence Material Association
• HASDIG- Hellenic Aerospace & Defence Industries Group

Hungary

• Defence Industry Association of Hungary

Ireland

• FAEI- Federation of Aerospace Enterprises in Ireland

Italy

• AIAD- Italian Industries Federation for Aerospace, Defence and Security
• AIPAS- Association of Italian Space Companies (SMEs)

Latvia

• FSDI- Federation of Security and Defence Industries of Latvia

Lithuania

• LDSIA- Lithuanian Defence and Security Industries Association

Malta

• Malta Enterprise

Netherlands

• NIDV- Netherlands Industries for Defence and Security (NIDV)

Norway

• FSI- Norwegian Defence and Security Industries Association

Poland

• Polish Chamber of National Defence Manufacturers
• APAI- Association of Polish Aviation Industry

Portugal

• DANOTEC- Associaçao das Empresas de Defesa Armamento e Novas
• PROESPACO- Portuguese Association of Space Industries

Romania

• OPIAR- Association of Romanian Aeronautical Companies
• PATROMIL- The Romanian Business Association of the Military Technique Manufacturers

Slovakia

• ADISR- Association of Defence Industry of the Slovak Republic

Slovenia

• CCIS-Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia

Spain

• TEDAE-Spanish Association of Defence, Aeronautics, Security and Space Technology Companies
• AESMIDE- Association of Defence Suppliers Companies

Sweden

• SOFF- Association of Swedish Defence Industries (Säkerhets & Försvars Företagen) Swedish Security and Defence Association

Turkey

• SASAD- Turkish Defence and Aerospace Industry Manufacturers Association

United Kingdom

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