The so-called "special modernization programs" have been the Spanish government's response to the insistence of European partners, and especially the United States, to increase investment in the military industry. Last year, 16 new programs, valued at 10.4 billion euros, were announced in a scenario of "Russian belligerence, new hybrid threats, and a rethinking of the Atlantic alliance".
Within this framework, companies like Indra aim to establish an "industrial ecosystem" with Catalonia as a reference point for securing new contracts. Recently, the company convened 200 businesses, including SMEs, universities, and research centers, to present its proposal. Collaboration agreements with 19 companies are already planned.
“"The challenge we face is to be the central axis of defense and security, but we cannot do it alone. This leadership must come from the entire ecosystem. Catalonia is an innovative country, a country with industry, a country with talent, and above all, it has the people who know how to do it. Therefore, within our attraction, Catalonia is one of the most important places to do it."
This commitment focuses on strengthening capabilities in dual technologies (civil and military), cybersecurity, cyber defense, and space. The Barcelona Chamber of Commerce has presented a study highlighting Catalonia's "solid industrial base," with technological knowledge and capabilities "perfectly transferable to defense applications".
It is estimated that around 800 Catalan companies could participate in this business, with the potential to create up to 10,000 jobs in the next four years. The realistic goal for 2030 is for nearly 200 companies to have already integrated into the sector. To achieve this, certifications will need to be accelerated, and industrial consortia created to compete for large projects.
Although Catalonia has historically been outside the Spanish army's contracts, there are SMEs that already collaborate indirectly on European defense projects through large companies such as Navantia, Airbus, or Indra itself. An example is Gutmar, from Sant Cugat del Vallès, which participates in the manufacture of a dual-use armored vehicle.
Other companies, such as Ficosa, with a plant in Viladecavalls, are creating defense divisions to explore new markets. Sectors with the most opportunities include automotive, aerospace, metallurgy, ICT, cybersecurity, biotechnology, and chemistry, especially in precision engineering, robotics, sensors, and critical software.
Companies like Hemav (Castellbisbal) and CATUAV (Moià) in drones, Ackcent or AllPriv in cyber defense, and Sateliot or Pangea Aerospace in space, could play a significant role. Technology centers such as Eurecat and the Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC) could also contribute their R&D expertise.
Military digitalization and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are key areas. Europe seeks to reduce its technological dependence on the United States, especially in chips, cloud computing, and AI software. Current conflicts have demonstrated the importance of AI for target identification and real-time information management, despite the ethical dilemmas posed by its application in autonomous decisions.
