Indra CEO José Vicente de los Mozos argued on Thursday at the Fórum Europa in Brussels that if Spain contributes 33% to the financing of the European FCAS combat programme, it must receive 33% of the profits.
During his speech at this informative meeting organised by New Economy Forum in the EU capital, De los Mozos spoke about Indra's participation in this project involving Germany, France and Spain, in which Indra is the Spanish industrial coordinator and has as partners Dessault in France and Airbus in Germany, which are currently in dispute over a greater share of participation, with the collateral damage that this could entail for Spanish interests.
The CEO of Indra said that the European Union needs leading programmes such as FCAS and if it is not successful, "many people may doubt" the necessary consolidation of the European defence industry.
"But on this we are clearly aligned with the Ministry of Defence and we have a clear vision. If we pay 33% to the FCAS, we need 33% for European industry, not just for Indra", said De los Mozos.
The CEO welcomed the defence spending strategy approved by the European Commission, but maintained that now is the time to go into detail on the specifics of the programmes. "The direction is clear, but it has to be made a reality, and as Saint Thomas said, seeing is believing", he stressed.
In his view, it is a priority for Brussels to "harmonise" investment priorities, because not all countries have the same capabilities and interests in defence. As far as Indra is concerned, he said he wants to be the “leader” of the defence industry in Spain and "co-leader" in Europe.
