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SPAIN-U.S. DEFENSE INDUSTRY DAY HELD FOR THE FIRST TIME

26

May

The Industry Day has been a success and of great interest, as shown by the high level of participation by both U.S. and Spanish companies.

Adolfo Menendez (Pres. TEDAE), GD/MG. (Ret.) Barry Bates (VPres. Operations, NDIA)
Adolfo Menendez (Pres. TEDAE), GD/MG. (Ret.) Barry Bates (VPres. Operations, NDIA)

Organized by the General Directorate of Armament and Materiel, through the Defense Cooperation Attaché’s Office in Washington and the National Defense Industry Association of the United States (NDIA), the "I Spain-U.S. Defense Industry Day" was held in the Ambassador´s Old Residence.  The participants in this initiative were the Spanish Association of Defense, Aeronautics, Security and Space Technology (TEDAE), the National Institute of Airspace Technologies (INTA), members of the U. S. Department of Defense and a large number of companies from both countries.

After the program's presentation by the moderator, the Defense Cooperation Attaché Colonel Angel Rodríguez, the Ambassador of Spain in the United States, His Excellency Ramon Gil-Casares, welcomed all attendees. In his warm words of support to this initiative, he remarked the magnificent situation of the Spain-U. S. relations, noting that the defense relations go back to 1953 with the signature of the Madrid Pacts and the Mutual Assistance Agreement.

Virginia Senator and President of the Spain - U.S. Council, Tim Kaine, opened the Industry Day by highlighting the good relations between both countries, and noting the need to establish alliances with friendly countries.  He stated that events such as this "improve the reliance" between industries on both sides of the Atlantic.  Senator Kaine and Defense Minister Morenés have met earlier in two occasions, in November 2013 during the International Security Forum in Halifax, and afterwards in September 2014 during the Spain-U.S. Forum in Málaga.  In both occasions they agreed on the need to enhance the defense industrial cooperation between both countries, with this Industry Day being a good start.

Lt. General García-Montaño (Director General for Armament and Materiel – DIGAM) showed his gratitude for the participation of U. S. government representatives, defense companies from both countries and for the good work done by the Defense Attaché’s Office in Washington.  He noted that the bilateral defense relations between both countries are marked by engagement, stability and mutual trust.  He concluded his remarks by acknowledging the need to continue holding further Industry Days, stating the need to do so in the future, and opening the possibility of holding the next event in Spain.

Afterwards, Adolfo Menéndez, TEDAE´s president, offered an overview of the Spanish defense industry, highlighting the opportunity offered by this event to identify common challenges, both domestic and international, that shall have to be faced in the future. He also noted that the strategic geographic location of our country and the historical links with the American continent offer Spain a good position to become the bridge between both sides of the Atlantic. "Spain –added Adolfo Menéndez- is a reliable technology partner, and our companies are able to produce and maintain high-standard quality systems including DoD systems.  Our defense industry is aware that continuous innovation is the only competitive advantage in the future.  We want to create and share knowledge through our products and services, bearing into account Spain´s economic growth and wellbeing.  Not only for our own interest, but for everything we have to contribute in the creation of a common future in the global economy where we must compete".

Major General Barry Bates, NDIA Vice president, acknowledged the importance of an Association with close to 1,600 member companies and more than 90.000 associates.  He also acknowledged the importance of the decades-long industrial and commercial relations between both countries, and noted the benefits of promoting a wider cooperation and information exchange between both Associations.  The messages of engagement and cooperation between Mr. Menéndez and General Bates concluded with the signature of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between TEDAE and NDIA which, among other things, makes possible that a member of any of the Associations may automatically become a member of the other.

After a brief pause, Mr. Keith Webster, Director of International Cooperation, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisitions, Technology and Logistics (AT&L), spoke of his government's perspective regarding international cooperation, the ever-growing need to cooperate with allied nations and the expected benefits of the new joint vision.  He was followed by Mr. Earl Wyatt, Principal Assistant Defense Secretary for Emerging Capabilities and Prototypes (AT&L), who insisted on the need to keep abreast of technological developments in order to insure superiority against any type of threat.  He explained the Defense Innovation Initiative focused on the search for innovation in all areas, including leadership education, operational concepts and business practices to become more efficient.

Representing the Ministry of Defense, Lt. General Ignacio Azqueta, INTA´s General Director, recalled that the relationship with NASA goes as far back as 1960 with the signature of the first cooperation agreement for the Mercury mission.  He explained the Institute's capabilities in scientific research, technology and services in areas as diverse as space, aeronautics, hydrodynamics, ground systems, defense and security.  Regarding the new INTA, he explained the recent merge of the military research and development centers in Spain (INTA, ITM and CEHIPAR), with the intent of improving the coordination and management of technology efforts from the different centers, and the search for budget efficiency in research and development. 

Brigadier General Arturo Meiriño, DGAM's Deputy Director for International Relations, spoke of the challenges faced by the new Directorate. He started by setting the change of the model's organization within  the framework of budget constraints in search of shared solutions, as dictated by NATO and the EU.  He said the institutional support efforts are being aimed towards the search for foreign markets, the promotion of government-to-government agreements, and the sale of surplus materiel, allowing for the participation of Spanish industry in modernization of systems and equipment.  Especially interesting was the second presentation given by Lt. General Montaño, outlining the new structure and management model of the General Directorate for Armament and Materiel.

The day continued with several briefings by industry experts from both countries, the first being about cases of successful "Strategic Collaboration" between companies, for example, between Navantia, Indra, Lockheed Martin and Raytheon, focusing on future cooperation possibilities.  The next panel was focused on "Research and Development", with the participation of representatives of different DoD offices working on research, development and new technology solutions.  Next the panel on "Space Industry" had representatives of Airbus Defence and Space, HISDESAT, GMV North America and INTA as speakers, all cutting-edge companies and entities as shown by the innovative technology developments discussed.  The last panel highlighted the need to remain competitive through "Technology Innovation" in the defense market.  The panel's participants, Das Photonics, Expal, Einsa, Tecnobit and Everis, presented the technology breakthroughs on which they base their capability to become companies to keep in mind in such a competitive market.

In his closing remarks the Defense Attaché, General Angel Valcarcel, started by noting that the relations between both countries are even older than the creation of the United States of America as a nation, thanks to the Kingdom of Spain's military, logistic and financial support to the Thirteen Colonies that were fighting for their independence.  After highlighting DGAM's leadership and the ease to work with the NDIA, he had words of recognition for participants and attendees, for the sponsors TEDAE, ICEX, Indra, Raytheon, Boeing and Lockheed Martin, without whose support, an event with such an extensive schedule and selected participation, would not have been possible.  He concluded by saying that the success of this initiative, and should DIGAM decide so, might result in future similar events so the industrial relations between both countries may become more fluid and fruitful.

 See the event's presentations here.
Spanish Defense Attaché, BG. Angel Valcarcel during his presentation
Lt.Gen. Montano (DGAM), Barry Bates (NDIA), Ambassador Ramon Gil-Casares, Adolfo Menendez (TEDAE), BG Valcarcel
Lt. Gen. Montano (DGAM), Barry Bates (NDIA), Ambassador Ramon Gil-Casares, Adolfo Menendez (TEDAE), Lt.Gen Ignacio Azqueta (INTA CEO)
General view of the event
Senator (VA.,D) Tim Kaine (Honorary Chairman of the United States-Spain Council)
Ambassador Gil-Casares, MG. Ignacio Azqueta, MG. Barry Bates, BG. Alfonso Merino, Miguel Angel Panduro (Pres. Hisdelsat)