The Forum brought together a wide range of stakeholders, including representatives from private and public European banks, pension funds, asset managers, credit rating agencies, private equity firms, Member States, and other key players in the defence and financial sectors. DG DEFIS, alongside the Directorate‑General for Financial Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets Union (DG FISMA), played a pivotal role in driving discussions and exploring investment opportunities.
Fostering cooperation for sustainable defence financing
The discussions centred on tackling challenges in financing the defence industry while aligning with the EU’s sustainable investment framework. Panel sessions delved into diverse topics, including banking and investor perspectives on financing defence priorities and navigating the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) landscape within the defence sector.
Key issues discussed included the role of the defence industry in contributing to sustainability goals, overcoming exclusion policies in the financial sector, and identifying innovative approaches to engage private investors. “The Forum is an essential step towards addressing these challenges and ensuring that the defence industry continues to innovate and contribute to Europe’s security and sustainability,” DG DEFIS said in a statement.
Laying the foundation for future initiatives
The event highlighted the importance of sustained collaboration between financial institutions and the defence sector. It underscored the role of investment in driving technological advancements and innovation critical to the EU’s security and strategic autonomy. Follow-up actions are expected to maintain the momentum created by this inaugural forum.
By fostering dialogue and partnership between the financial sector and defence industry stakeholders, the EU Defence Industrial Investment Forum reaffirms the bloc’s dedication to enhancing security, technological sovereignty, and sustainability across Member States. This
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