Celje – At the first international defense industry fair Sidec in Celje, a detailed overview of the strategic guidelines shaped by key European organizations, including the European Commission, the European Defense Agency (EDA), and NATO, was presented on Tuesday. Nathalie Guichard from the EDA spoke about connecting research, technologies, and industry to strengthen European defense capabilities, highlighting Slovenia’s active involvement in several projects, including Sabuvis II for the development of an underwater vehicle to protect critical infrastructure underwater.
The fair, which aims to become the central regional platform in the fields of defense, security, and advanced technologies, features 170 exhibitors from 20 countries until Friday. The goal is also to promote local defense companies and those expanding their portfolios with dual-use products. The Slovenian Development Bank, SID Bank, has proposed a €80 million loan fund to encourage broad development of the defense industry.
At the round table, the biggest challenge in the industrialization of defense was mentioned as the support from banks that avoid this industry. As a result, the sector is not competitive despite its knowledge. However, certain progress has been made, said the director general of the logistics directorate at the Ministry of Defense Željko Kralj. Slovenia has recently achieved a high level of synergy between science and industry for the development of the defense industry, which is an excellent starting point for further development.
Kristine Rudzite from the European Commission’s Directorate General for Defense Industry and Space explained that the European Union has invested €1.5 billion in implementing defense industry strategies, with their defense fund allocating about a third of the money to research and two-thirds to the development of innovations. In 2026, they plan to increase funding by about a quarter. (October 22)
