Defense industry firms gather in Brussels to present innovations

Defense industry companies from Central, Southeastern, and Eastern Europe are meeting in Brussels to engage with European Union institutions at the European Parliament. Croatian companies are among the participants.

“For me, the goal of today’s conference is to jointly compete for European funding, together with colleagues from Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, and Poland, and to showcase the best of our military industry,” said Croatian MEP Željana Zovko.

The companies present a range of innovative products and technological solutions designed to meet modern defense needs — from tools useful in conventional conflicts, like the ongoing war in Ukraine, to systems for defending against hybrid attacks, which Europe has increasingly faced.

“The plan is to explore ways to expand capacity without compromising quality or price,” said Marko Košuljandić of custom marine engineering firm Shadow Nautics.

Croatian manufacturers are showcasing drones, special-purpose vessels, and critical infrastructure protection technologies. Start-ups are also taking part, emphasizing the importance of innovation, not just existing products. The war in Ukraine has highlighted how conflict often accelerates technological development.

Croatian companies report increased demand for their products but say they can meet it with current capacities. “There is huge demand for our products given the geopolitical situation. Trends in the defense sector are changing significantly, and we must manage the market’s powerful demands,” said Davorin Jašinski of drone maker Orqa.

Demand may grow further as the European Commission completes the initial operational phase of its Defense Readiness Plan through 2030, with the first projects launching next year.