Overview
- The Catalan government unveiled a plan through its agency Acció that includes a Dual Technology & Industry Readiness Programme to train up to 400 companies to enter security and defense supply chains.
- The programme will run in person across Barcelona, Girona, Tarragona and Lleida with seven-hour sessions that explain required certifications, security rules and how to apply for Spanish and EU funding.
- Spain’s Industry and Defense ministries are supporting the effort, and the new AeroS cluster, which groups 77 aerospace, space and defense firms, has set up a task force to help companies qualify and partner for bids.
- Catalan industry received no share of the 2025 Special Modernisation Programmes while Madrid took about 80%, and business groups now aim for at least 20% of the 2026 awards.
- President Salvador Illa met European Defence Agency director André Denk this week, a signal of intent that coincided with strong interest from 300–400 local firms at the launch events.