Three days at the intersection of policy, industry and partnership
In mid-June, together with a business delegation from North Rhine–Westphalia, we had the opportunity to take part in a delegation visit to Paris, including attendance at Eurosatory—one of the world’s leading trade fairs for defence and security technologies. The trip was organised by AHK France, the Aachen Chamber of Industry and Commerce, and NRW.Global Business.
For MPC, the visit was primarily an opportunity to assess current developments among manufacturers, suppliers and political decision-makers first-hand. The focus was less on the question of new technologies and more on the challenge of how companies can scale their production and supply networks within a short timeframe.
Across nearly all discussions, a consistent picture emerged: the European defence industry is entering a phase of accelerated industrialisation. Building new capacities, securing resilient supply chains and implementing large-scale investment programmes will be central tasks for many companies in the years ahead.
A delegation defined by expertise and openness
One particularly positive aspect was the composition of the NRW delegation. Participants came from a wide range of sectors and company sizes, united by a high level of professional expertise, openness, and a shared ambition to develop new partnerships.
The official programme was complemented by numerous personal exchanges. Whether during transfers, at the Franco-German networking evening, or over shared meals, intensive discussions arose around market opportunities, supply chains, capacity expansion and potential collaborations. It was precisely this open exchange that created the real added value of the trip.
Ultimately, it became clear: none of the challenges ahead can be addressed in isolation. A recurring key question was how companies can support one another, pool competencies and build robust networks across Europe.
What is currently driving the defence industry
Eurosatory impressed not only with its sheer scale but also with the remarkable number of German exhibitors, delegations and industry representatives. Similar topics were raised at nearly every stand.
The industry is facing the task of expanding production capacities at an unprecedented pace. Many companies have historically produced highly specialised products in relatively small volumes. The challenge now is to enable industrial-scale production.
Several key questions are at the centre of this transformation:
- Which products will actually be required in the coming years?
- In what quantities must they be made available?
- By when must the necessary production capacities be established?
- What requirements will this place on suppliers and supply chains?
- How can quality, documentation and certification be ensured despite increasing production volumes?
At the same time, technical requirements for components and systems continue to increase. The challenge therefore lies not only in developing new technologies, but in scaling production processes effectively.
For us, these discussions confirmed a pattern we already know from other industries: strategic decisions have largely been made—now the focus is on industrial execution.
When growth becomes a management challenge
A particularly interesting takeaway from the discussions in Paris was that many challenges in the defence industry follow familiar patterns seen in other sectors.
Whether it is new production lines, plant expansions, international supply networks or multi-year investment programmes—the technical solution is often only one part of the equation. Equally critical are clear project structures, aligned decision-making processes and disciplined execution.
This is precisely where we see strong parallels with projects MPC has supported in other capital-intensive industries. In automotive, energy and process industries alike, one recurring lesson stands out: the success of large transformation initiatives depends heavily on how well strategy, organisation and execution are integrated.
Many of the issues discussed at Eurosatory ultimately point to the same fundamental challenge: how to organise rapid growth without compromising quality, efficiency or delivery reliability.
France: a market with its own rules
A particularly insightful aspect of the trip was the exposure to French industrial and defence policy. Compared to Germany, the role of the state is significantly more pronounced. Close collaboration between government, industry and research institutions shapes many developments in the French market.
At the same time, it became clear that French companies are highly interested in further expanding their role in European defence and security programmes. Accordingly, there was a strong willingness to engage with German partners.
However, success in the French market requires more than just a strong product or compelling service. Personal relationships, trust and local networks play a central role. Many discussions confirmed that long-term partnerships often form the foundation of successful projects.
Another notable insight was the availability of industrial space in the greater Paris area. Both existing facilities and potential development sites are available in considerable quantities.
Against the backdrop of rising investment levels and anticipated capacity expansion, this opens up promising opportunities for companies seeking to expand their presence in France or across the European market.
Personal interaction remains irreplaceable
Beyond all professional content, one key insight stands out: the most valuable conversations often take place outside formal meeting rooms.
The Franco-German networking evening, shared dinners and numerous informal exchanges within the delegation clearly demonstrated the importance of personal interaction in enabling successful collaboration. It was in these moments that experiences were exchanged, connections were established and initial ideas for future cooperation were developed.
In an increasingly digital world, personal dialogue remains a decisive success factor—especially when it comes to building new partnerships.
Conclusion: Europe’s strength lies in collaboration
The trip to Paris and participation in Eurosatory highlighted one central reality: the European defence industry is undergoing a phase of profound transformation. Companies are investing, expanding partnerships and preparing for sustained long-term growth.
Equally clear is that the challenges ahead can only be addressed collectively. Manufacturers, suppliers, research institutions and policymakers are more dependent on collaboration than ever before.
For us, the journey was therefore far more than just a trade fair visit. It provided an opportunity to contextualise current market developments, establish new contacts and gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
The most important takeaway from the many discussions is this: Europe’s industrial strength will not be defined by technology alone, but by the ability to connect competencies, build partnerships and implement solutions together.