The Premier European Industry Platform

ASD’s annual Brussels conference is the leading platform for European aerospace, defence, and security leaders. It provides participants with early insights into industry trends, regulatory developments, and strategic priorities, while offering exceptional networking opportunities with EU policymakers and institutional leaders, CEOs and other senior decision-makers.

As an independent consultancy with expertise across defence, space, maritime and homeland security sectors, EUDIMA’s participation focused on gaining strategic insights into the evolving European aerospace and defence landscape, understanding industry priorities, and connecting with key stakeholders shaping the sector’s future.

Record Industry Performance Announced

The conference coincided with the release of ASD’s “European Industrial Strategy for Civil Aeronautics”, revealing unprecedented growth in Europe’s aerospace and defence sector:

The turnover of European defence companies rose by 13.8% year-on-year in 2024 with direct employment in the sector also rising to its highest level ever recorded as Europe races to rearm to face a belligerent Russia. Turnover for the 4,000 companies the Aerospace, Security and Defence Industries Association of Europe (ASD) represents grew by 10.1% overall to €325.7 billion. Defence led the growth with a yearly rate of 13.8% — compared to a 6% rise in civil aviation — and a €183.4 billion turnover. Direct employment, meanwhile, rose by 6.9% to 1,103,000 – the highest level recorded.

These figures underscored the strategic importance of the sector and the critical need for sustained policy support and investment.

Conference Focus Areas

This high‑level one‑day programme focused on aeronautics strategy, SESAR/ATM, defence readiness and digital defence – with panels designed to deliver concrete insights to support planning and action. The association plays a crucial role as the voice of European aerospace, security, and defence industries, advocating for policies that support innovation, competitiveness, and strategic autonomy.

The conference addressed critical priorities including European industrial strategy for civil aeronautics, air traffic management modernization, Europe’s defence preparedness and industrial capacity, and digital transformation in defence systems. Discussions emphasized the need for sustained defence spending, supply chain sovereignty, skilled workforce development, and maintaining technological leadership.

EUDIMA’s Strategic Engagement

EUDIMA attended high-level panels, gained strategic insights on industry trends and regulatory developments, and networked with CEOs, senior executives, and EU policymakers. The conference provided valuable intelligence on funding priorities, policy directions, and collaboration opportunities across aerospace, defence, security, and space domains.

EUDIMA’s participation in the ASD Brussels Conference 2025 reinforces our commitment to staying at the forefront of European aerospace and defence industry developments, enabling us to provide clients with strategic insights, policy intelligence, and high-level connections essential for navigating this dynamic and rapidly growing sector.

We thank ASD for organizing this exceptional conference and providing a premier platform for industry dialogue with policymakers and institutional leaders at this critical juncture for European aerospace and defence.