EDTA remarks on the EU Action plan on synergies between civil, defence and space industries
The EDTA welcomes this important Communication of the European Commission on their Action plan to increase the synergies between civil, defence and space industries. It is well understood that this action plan is only applicable for programmes of the European Commission, but even within that scope, it is important to recognise the major differences between civil industry and defence-and-space industries
Defence and space industries are strongly dependent on (national) government
funding and operate in an environment that reflects this strong dependence.
Civil industries however are driven by international market conditions, where entrepreneurship,
opportunities and risks are the primary factors for success.
In all realism, the Action plan does not seem to take these completely
different environments as starting point to create synergy, but argues mainly
from a government type funding perspective.
To engage civil industry and foster
technological synergies it will be necessary to also foster market synergies. To
be profitable, technology development in the civil sector usually needs to be
monetized within 2-5 years, where defence and space R&D and products take
5-15 years. Unfortunately, an SME cannot work 10 years to become profitable.
Based on our recent research and experience of
our members, government (and EC) contracting will need to be simplified and become
more predictable and reliable to gain synergy. This is the most important
change required to engage SMEs and other civil industries and entice them to
invest time, assets and money in defence products. Risk for industry should be
reduced as much as possible rather than increased as governments often require.
In our view, it is odd to require civil industry
to change their attitude towards the defence and space market principles as
this Action plan does in various paragraphs and action items. In the 21st
century it is more reasonable to adapt to more market-oriented principles. This
would also enhance a level playing field for industries in Europe.
More specific comments to the Action plan
and the Action items are given in the next paragraphs.
The Capability driven approach for the security sector
In the paragraph on Capability Driven Approach (CDA) is mentioned that users
need to ‘express their intention to procure products’. We would like to stress
that an ‘intention’ is not enough to attract funds for the development of products.
A stronger and more binding agreement will be necessary for this purpose. If
not, the ‘valley-of-death’ between the European Defence Fund (EDF) Research and
Development (R&D) window and useable products will remain unbridgeable.
Action 1. Capability driven approach in the
security sector
A Capability Driven Approach (CDA) is the regular approach in the defence
sector and could help to satisfy the needs of government users in the security sector.
However, a CDA does not create any synergy with the civil sector where
companies assess market opportunities themselves without a prescription from the government. When a CDA style of operation is adopted by companies in the
security sector they will become more dependent on government funding. Also, dissimilar
(CDA) requirements from a multitude of government users will occur. This
creates similar versioning issues as in the defence sector.
Except maybe when the European commission leads the CDA over national and local
requirements. However, this would probably be too big a step away from the
principle of subsidiarity.
Action 2. Access to finance (debt and equity
funds).
Support of the
Commission to adapt the limitation of the lending criteria of the European
Investment Bank (EIB) was mentioned in the Defence Action Plan 2016. Unfortunately
however, in 2021 the limitations of 2013 are not lifted: military and police equipment are still excluded
from funding by the EIB and related institutions as it does not satisfy ‘responsible
lending priorities’.
Support for start-ups and SMEs
Start-ups and SMEs are often quite successful in the civil market. In economical
science, innovation and new product development is attributed to this type of
companies. Successful companies rely on private funding and market principles.
It seems peculiar in the Action plan to require start-ups and SMEs to adapt
their products/business models to defence market principles. The sole reason
why they are absent from the defence market is that SMEs and start-ups cannot
bear the risks, uncertainties and very long and unpredictable procurement
processes in the defence sector.
Based on our research SMEs are well aware of and interested in business
opportunities in the defence market, but just cannot afford to participate.
In our view, the defence market should adapt to a structure similar to the
civil market.
Action 3. Raise awareness of opportunities by better
communication.
Based on our
research improved communication of opportunities would help. Systems to obtain
and select relevant information are complicated and require a lot of time and
effort. Application procedures for EC programmes are however even more cumbersome
and the success rate is less than 20%, in particular for a start-up and SME acting
as prime contractor.
The action should be: Simplify EU programmes and funding instruments for SMEs,
shorten procedures and increase success rates.
Action 4. Technology roadmaps
Development of technology roadmaps and set-up observatories for (emerging)
critical technologies is in itself a sensible plan. However, if these actions
only lead to (large) flagship projects (for specific industries), as
indicated, it could be a waste of money.
The EDTA believes that contrarily to the intention to use roadmaps for flagship
projects the result of roadmaps should be shared within the defence and
security sector and lead rapidly to adaptation of EDF and other programme
funding. Only then both the civil and defence sectors could benefit from the
results.
Action 5. Standardisation
A very important standardisation
source in the defence sector is NATO.
The EDTA believes that to avoid duplication and ambiguity in standards the very
first stakeholder to work with in defence-related standards is NATO and their Standardization
Office.
Action 6. Innovation networks
Defence innovation networks could and should fulfil a key role in cross-fertilisation between member states, RTOs and companies. The 13 EDA captechs
are examples of this type of network. Unfortunately, these have not been highly
successful in structuring cross border and cross-sectoral innovation by SMEs. Reluctance
to participate exists in industry due to Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)
issues and the relatively high cost (in time and expenses) and low returns for
SMEs.
The EDTA strongly supports the creation of Europe wide innovation networks. However,
effective solutions will have to be found for sharing commercially sensitive
information and cost of participation for SMEs.
Action 7.
Cybersecurity competence centre (CCC)
A cybersecurity
centre would be extremely useful to counter cyber threats. However, in the
defence sector, a NATO cooperative cyber defence
centre of excellence (CCDCOE) already exists in Tallinn, Estonia.
Duplication of efforts should be avoided. Unfortunately, the NATO facility is
not even mentioned in the Action plan.
The EDTA believes that an EU CCC would only be relevant when the European Union
uses the centre for supranational cyber defence. However, this would probably be
too big a step away from the principle of subsidiarity.
Action 8. Innovative funding for disruptive
defence technology
Based on our
research it is unlikely that open calls or prizes for innovative defence
applications will attract non-defence related industries. More economic funding
mechanisms, like guarantee-funds, and innovation contracts, would be more
effective.
Action 9. Flagship project result availability.
Flagship projects
at a low TRL level funded by the EDF could be useful to enhance and accelerate
European technological sovereignty. Access to the project results should
however be available somehow for the European industry for further development. Not
for just one industry that happens to win the first tender.
EDTA, 22
May 2021
Picture: Pixabay