ASD Secretary General to EU: “Industry needs decisive action”

In a recent interview with Future Warfare Magazine’s Caterina Tani, ASD Secretary General Jan Pie delivered a clear and urgent message to European governments; amidst growing global instability, he stressed that "decisive action" is needed to bolster the continent's defence capabilities and strategic autonomy.

At the core of Jan Pie’s argument was a call for governments to move beyond rhetoric and make firm commitments. "From an industry perspective, this means committing to substantial, long-term procurement with clear orders across the full spectrum of defence capabilities," he said. He pointed to an imbalance in current procurement trends, noting that while there has been a significant increase in orders for ammunition and other smaller items, the demand for major assets like "tanks, ships or fighter jets, has remained relatively low". Long-term visibility is essential for companies to invest confidently in scaling up production capacity and driving innovation.

A key pillar of this necessary action is a stronger "Buy European" approach, aimed at reinforcing Europe's own capabilities and reducing its reliance on non-European suppliers. This strategic pivot is not without its hurdles. Jan Pie acknowledged persistent challenges facing the industry, including vulnerabilities in the supply chain and shortages of critical raw materials. To counter this, he emphasised the importance of political support through initiatives like the Chips Act and the Critical Raw Materials Act, which are vital for strengthening industrial resilience.

Furthermore, he underscored the critical role of finance, particularly for the small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that are the backbone of the defence supply chain. 

The message from Jan Pie was unequivocal: Europe's defence industry is not merely an economic sector but a fundamental "cornerstone of strategic sovereignty".