Manufacturing workers representing SMEs at the heart of the European aerospace, defence and security industrial ecosysem

Empowering SMEs: ASD’s SME Council takes flight

ASD’s new SME Council brings together small and large businesses to strengthen Europe’s aerospace, security, and defence industries. By fostering collaboration, shaping policy, and launching a digital hub for networking, the Council empowers SMEs to drive innovation and growth.

ASD marked a significant milestone yesterday with the inaugural meeting of its SME Council. The newly established Council strengthens ASD’s role as the unified voice of the industry, reflecting the interests of both large companies and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The establishment of the SME Council reflects ASD’s commitment to fostering a collaborative and inclusive ecosystem that benefits all stakeholders.    

A unified voice for the industry   

The objective of the SME Council is to reinforce ASD’s position as the representative body for the entire European aerospace, security, and defence industry. By ensuring balanced advocacy, the Council will address the unique needs of SMEs in the context of broader objectives and developments in the industry. This supports a cohesive and dynamic ecosystem where all players, regardless of size, can thrive.   

Group photo of industry leaders at the inaugural ASD SME Council meeting, uniting small and large businesses to strengthen collaboration, advocacy, and innovation in the European aerospace, security, and defence sectors

To achieve its vision, the SME Council is developing a working framework that promotes engagement and collaboration across all industry segments, facilitating dialogue, and empowering SMEs to contribute to, and participate in, industry-wide initiatives. By fostering partnerships and knowledge-sharing, the Council aims to foster collaboration between large corporations and smaller enterprises, driving innovation and growth across the industry.   

Policy development and strategic advocacy

A key focus of the SME Council is to identify pressing challenges and priorities within the industry. By integrating insights from SMEs into ASD’s position papers, the Council will shape strategic advocacy efforts. This process ensures that policy recommendations reflect the diverse needs of the ecosystem.  

The Council will work on addressing the unique challenges faced by SMEs, such as access to funding, regulatory hurdles, and market integration. By developing targeted policy positions, the Council will contribute to an enabling environment for SMEs to grow and compete effectively.  

Launching a digital platform for collaboration   

To enhance connectivity and information sharing, the SME Council announced plans to create a dedicated digital industry hub. This platform will serve as a central resource for networking, collaboration, and knowledge exchange. It will also feature initiatives to strengthen ties between the European and Ukrainian industrial bases, promoting cross-border partnerships and solidarity.  

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