Portuguese defence companies focus on US and Middle East

The President of the defence cluster AED, José Neves, says that defence companies within the cluster are strengthening their international presence in the US and Middle East.

In an interview with Lusa, he said that this was the case even before the ceasefire between the US, Iran and Israel had even been announced.

The United States and the Middle East are establishing themselves as strategic markets for Portuguese defence companies in a context of growing global demand and international expansion of the sector..

In the interview Neves acknowledges a strengthening of the international presence, emphasising that there are Portuguese companies expanding operations to the United States and highlighting the “great impact” of initiatives, such as trade fairs, in the Middle East, where national companies have secured new contracts.

“I can’t give many details, but I am aware of some Portuguese companies that are expanding operations to the United States,” revealed the head of the cluster that integrates around 180 entities, including companies, universities, and research centers in the areas of aeronautics, space, and defense (AED).

José Neves emphasised that it is a “very open and interesting” market, with “large contracts,” which has often led companies to talk amongst themselves to assess the need for a “joint venture” between Portuguese and American companies.

Source: Lusa; Credits: AED Cluster