The Diplomat
The IFEMA Exhibition Center, in Madrid, hosts from yesterday until tomorrow the second edition of the International Fair of Defense and Security (FEINDEF), the most important of this sector in Spain, which brings together more than 300 exhibitors and 70 foreign delegations and which will address issues such as innovation, employment, dual technologies or cybersecurity.
The event was inaugurated by the Secretary of State for Defense, Esperanza Casteleiro, who stated that FEINDEF is “a reference fair, an international showcase for the defense of Spain, for the technological, development and innovation capacity” of the companies.
The opening ceremony was also attended by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares (who stated that “FEINDEF offers a unique platform to showcase the capabilities of the sector, an essential sector for the country’s security, innovation and export”); the Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism, Reyes Maroto; the EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy, Josep Borrell; and the President of FEINDEF and former Minister of Defense, Julián García Vargas.
After the inauguration, the fair was visited by the Minister of Defense, Margarita Robles, who for more than two hours toured more than a dozen stands, including that of the USA, guest country of this edition. At the Army exhibition, the Minister was able to see up close the VCR 8×8 wheeled combat vehicles and the Logistics Base project in Cordoba, which aspires to be a pioneer in the incorporation of state-of-the-art technologies, sustainability and efficiency.
At the Navy stand she was informed about the F-110 Frigates and the S-80 submarines, and at the Air Force stand she observed the Predator drones and the Space Surveillance Operations Center (COVE). He also stopped at the stand dedicated to the future European FCAS (or NGWS) fighter aircraft, a collaboration between Spain, France and Spain. He also toured the exhibits and chatted with the heads of the companies Navantia, Airbus, Indra, Iveco, Expal and ITP Aero.
Robles ended her visit at the stand of the Ministry of Defense, where she told the press that the objective of her Department is “to make a very important commitment to Spanish industry, which means progress, R&D&I technology, modernity for the Armed Forces and job creation”. Another of the objectives, he continued, “is to promote that the Spanish industry has a European projection, an international projection, because everything that improves the Spanish industry is to improve the creation of jobs”.
