ASD London Convention welcomes SMEs

For the first time, ASD opened its high-level convention to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), marking a new chapter in engagement across our industry ecosystem. The SME programme at the ASD London Convention, curated by the Defence SME Committee of UK association, ADS Group, brought together small businesses, industry leaders, and policymakers in a focused forum.

The dedicated SME programme featured targeted sessions to promote dialogue between small and large players, enhancing visibility, exchange, and mutual understanding. This initiative reflects ASD's commitment to representing the entire industry, from global players to innovative small businesses that form the backbone of the European defence and aerospace sectors.

"SMEs make up a significant portion of our membership and are integral to the success of our sectors," said Andrea Barbagelata of the ASD SME Council during his opening presentation. The Council, established earlier in 2025, is part of ASD's commitment to being the representative body for the entire European aerospace, security, and defence industry.

Programme highlights 

The event began with a keynote address from Andrius Kubilius, EU Commissioner for Defence & Space, followed by presentations on the ASD SME Council and ASD Connect platform. These initiatives aim to facilitate engagement and collaboration across industry segments, empowering SMEs to contribute to and participate in industry-wide initiatives.

Guillaume de la Brosse, Head of Unit for Defence Policy and Innovation at the European Commission's DG DEFIS, outlined current EU support mechanisms for SMEs. His presentation highlighted recent developments, including the Commission's mobilisation of funding under the 2024 European Defence Fund to boost European defence capabilities and close capability gaps.

Practical benefits for participating SMEs

The programme offered practical insights, networking opportunities, and access to industry leaders for participating SMEs to connect, learn, and contribute. Sessions covered topics including:

• Exploring collaboration opportunities within Horizon Europe to support supply chain resilience.
• Accessing national support structures for security and growth.
• Navigating NATO DIANA funding possibilities.
• Identifying sector-specific opportunities in aerospace.

This event was part of a new strand of ASD events aiming to support innovation, diversification, and collaboration across the full spectrum of the aerospace, security, and defence landscape. By bringing SMEs more actively into its regular events, ASD is creating pathways for smaller businesses to contribute to strategic dialogue.