This initiative seeks to double the size of the sector within five years, despite acknowledging the significant entry barriers in the market. However, its stability and high long-term margins are highlighted.
“"Defense must be understood as an opportunity for the Catalan economy and as a commitment to technological industrial policy that cannot be missed."
The report, titled “The potential of the technological and industrial base for dual use in Catalonia,” was prepared by the Industry Observatory of the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce. It underscores the potential of Catalan companies to leverage this momentum and the need for a public-private collaboration strategy as a cornerstone of development.
The study identifies 812 companies with activity or potential in dual-use technologies and points out that Catalonia's main challenge in defense is not its capabilities, but its positioning within the ecosystem. Currently, the region is not part of the industrial corridors defined by the state strategy nor does it have a significant presence in the main European instruments of the sector.
The Chamber emphasizes that the defense sector is demanding, with high entry barriers such as complex certifications and security requirements. Nevertheless, once inside, it offers stability with recurring contracts and lasting relationships, which represents an opportunity for industrial SMEs looking to diversify into higher value-added dual-use sectors, provided they receive the necessary support to overcome initial obstacles.
The document proposes an action plan with eleven measures, including the creation of an industrial conversion program (Fit for Defence), a certification accelerator, an office to attract European funds, and the promotion of industrial consortia to compete in large projects. It also suggests strengthening testing and validation infrastructures, advancing in the sovereignty of strategic materials, and developing a specialized talent ecosystem.
