Indra Group brings together Spain’s National Defense Ecosystem in a major event in Madrid to jointly tackle the Armed Forces modernization programs

Indra brought together some 600 companies, research centers, and universities at the II National Defense Industry Ecosystem Meeting, held today at the IFEMA convention center in Madrid under the slogan “Innovate, advance, grow. Together, stronger.” The event reaffirmed Indra’s commitment as a driving force in the sector and its intention to use the Special Modernization Programs as a lever to enhance competitiveness and make Spain a reference in European defense.

The Secretary of State for Defense, who opened the event, emphasized that “there is no defense without industry, and now is the time for SMEs and startups to make the technological leap Spain needs.” She added, “We ask Indra to exercise open, responsible leadership that drives the sector forward by incorporating the entire ecosystem.”

Next, Indra Group’s Executive Chairman, Ángel Escribano, and CEO, José Vicente de los Mozos, held a dialogue in which Escribano highlighted “the opportunity offered by the Special Modernization Programs (PEM) as a gateway to compete in Europe for programs involving extraordinary investment figures.”

Ángel Escribano stated, “We feel responsible for ensuring everyone contributes their best so that the Ministry of Defense and the Armed Forces can be proud,” and stressed that “together we will go further” and that “Spain must assume its rightful position in Europe, as one of the largest economy in the EU.”

José Vicente de los Mozos added, “We need a robust industry to face the challenges ahead, and to achieve this, we must transform how we work—to be faster, more efficient, and deliver top-quality solutions.” He affirmed that “the PEMs are a leap into the future that will make our industry a benchmark in Europe.”

De los Mozos explained, “At Indra, we have prepared by centralizing 77% of our defense procurement in Spain, very close to the 80% target set by the Ministry of Defense for the PEMs.” The company has a network of over 1,000 partners, 65% of which are SMEs, startups, and research centers, and is expanding this network with new members.

The CEO also highlighted “the company’s commitment to our factories,” mentioning new facilities in Gijón and Vigo, the expansion of the León center, enhanced cybersecurity capabilities in Catalonia, and the new site in Córdoba, “where we will have a factory to automate radar production and manufacture over 100 Nemus radars in 2026.”

During the event, Indra Group signed letters of intent with several companies, adding to the nearly 100 technology alliances formalized throughout the year. Ángel Escribano recalled the commitment announced in June at the first industry meeting to create over 3,000 direct jobs across Spain, focused on qualified talent, and noted that “progress has been made with the opening of new centers in various autonomous communities,” also emphasizing inclusion and diversity. In this area, Indra Group signed agreements with Fundación ONCE and the Spanish Paralympic Committee.

Among the attendees, there was a strong institutional presence and participation from SMEs in over 40 provinces, alongside major industry players, universities, and defense-oriented investment funds such as Hiperion and Nazca.

ICO Financing for SMEs

Following the speeches by the Chairman and CEO, the event continued with a panel discussion giving voice to SMEs and startups. Participants included Félix Gómez, co-founder and CEO of Scorpion Cybertech; Juan Chulilla, CEO of Red Team Shield; Susana Pascual, founder and CEO of PixelHub; María Bertomeu, Business Development Director for Defense and Aerospace at Multiverse Computing; Arturo Baldasán, CEO of NIT New Infrared Technologies; and journalist Arturo Criado as moderator.

The second panel focused on universities, moderated by economic journalist Belén Carreño, featured Cecilia García, Deputy Vice-Rector for Entrepreneurship at the Polytechnic University of Madrid; Luis Enrique García, Vice-Rector for Research at Carlos III University of Madrid; Agustín Martínez, Director of Technology Transfer at the University of Alcalá; and Sebastián Ventura, Vice-Rector for Digital Transformation and Data Management at the University of Córdoba.

After the panels, the President of the Official Credit Institute (ICO), Manuel Illueca, stated that “in a time of high demand like this, the sector needs adequate financing.” He announced that, in addition to existing financing lines through ICO-participated funds and its own capacity via ICO Axis, a new intangible financing instrument for SMEs has been launched, which has already received over 500 applications totaling around €525 million.

The Secretary of State for Industry, Jordi García Brustenga, emphasized in his closing remarks that “we want Indra to be exemplary,” highlighting “Indra’s greater responsibility due to its public presence, its critical role, its private nature with a public client, and its shared purpose with the government.” He stressed that “its growth must maintain a commitment to the entire industrial ecosystem and territorial footprint.”

Following his remarks, the Director General of Armament and Material (DIGAM), Admiral Aniceto Rosique, closed the first part of the event by highlighting “Indra’s driving effort, which is the role it plays in Spain, stepping up from national champion to European leader.”

A working session followed, allowing companies to network, explore synergies, and discuss collaboration opportunities with Indra representatives.

With this II National Defense Industry Ecosystem Meeting, Indra continues the initiative launched last June at its Alcobendas headquarters, where 150 partners gathered. The company thus fulfills its commitment to expand collaboration to any organization working on advanced technologies, facilitating access to the defense sector for companies from all industries, not just defense. Indra plans to organize new local meetings in various autonomous communities in the coming months to foster collaboration among companies of all types and sizes.