About us
We actively support the competitive development of the industry at both European and global level.
ASD is the voice of European Aerospace, Security and Defence Industries. With 25 major European companies and 25 National Associations as our members, the overall representation adds up to more than 4,000 companies across 21 European countries. We are actively supporting the competitive development of the sector in Europe and worldwide. Our members collectively employed 921,000 people and generated a turnover of €261 billion in 2022 – accounting for 98% of the people employed, and 97% of the aerospace and defence industry's turnover within the EU Member States.
ASD works on issues covering civil aviation, defence, security and space. It is committed to sustaining and growing a competitive sector. It is to achieve this strategic objective that ASD analyses, formulates and establishes policy positions for the industry on key strategic sectorial issues, cooperating with industry and EU institutions on a number of market developments and technology research projects.
ASD also coordinates European and international policy, communications, analysis and provides support to its members’ requirements and needs to help their development, offering the best networking and learning opportunities in the sector. In addition, the advocacy activities undertaken by ASD help create a suitable policy framework within which members can successfully develop their businesses.
European cooperation
ASD is actively involved in various European-level activities, working closely with EU institutions, agencies, and programmes that shape the regulatory and policy framework for the industry. Key partners include the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), to which ASD and its members provide technical input and feedback on rulemaking and certification activities, participating in its advisory bodies and working groups.
ASD also collaborates with the European Chemicals Agency, the EU body responsible for implementing EU legislation on chemicals, such as REACH and CLP. Furthermore, ASD and its members are key partners in SESAR and Clean Aviation, providing strategic guidance and technical expertise to these EU public-private partnerships that aim to boost sustainable research and innovation in the aviation sector.
In the realm of European defence, ASD actively engages with initiatives and projects of the European Defence Agency, such as the European Defence Fund, the Permanent Structured Cooperation, and the Coordinated Annual Review on Defence. This comprehensive involvement underscores ASD’s commitment to shaping and contributing to the European industry landscape.
Global cooperation
ASD, representing the European aerospace industry globally, is committed to safety, security, and sustainability. It contributes industry insights on emissions, noise, cyber security, and drones in assemblies, committees, and technical panels as an observer of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), a UN agency setting global standards for civil aviation.
In addition, ASD collaborates with the International Coordinating Council of Aerospace Industries Associations (ICCAIA), a global association of aerospace manufacturers, to align industry positions on international challenges.
Moreover, ASD is the trusted partner for developing and maintaining standards for the aerospace and defence industry. It works closely with CEN, the European Committee for Standardisation, and cooperates with other European and international standardisation organisations, such as the European Organisation for Civil Aviation Equipment (EUROCAE) and the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO).