Interview with WKO’s Reinhard Marak
Reinhard Marak of WKO – the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber – talks about the evolving European defence landscape, championing SMEs, and the crucial role of ASD.
What are your responsibilities at WKO – the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber – and what roles have you had within ASD?
At the WKO, the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber, I hold the position as Chief Executive of its Defence Industry Group comprising about 120 companies, most of which are SMEs. At ASD, I am currently Member of the Board, Member of the Defence Business Unit, and Chairman of a Task Force focusing on the European Defence Industrial Programme (EDIP).
What has been the main motivation for you to be involved in ASD working groups?
The EU has become a main industry policy driver, including in the defence sector. This is why ASD as a European association is absolutely key when it comes to contributing to the further development of the European Defence Industrial and Technological Base, my member companies should be part of also in the future.
What has been the most rewarding aspect of your involvement with ASD working bodies?
Having the possibility to represent the views of smaller and medium-sized enterprises among the big European industrial players – positively, introducing this perspective has always been highly welcome in the ASD setting.
Looking back over your time and work with ASD, what do you consider the most significant milestone or success in the defence sector in recent years?
The European Union has been engaging in the defence area already for quite a while, but the establishment of DG DEFIS and the recent creation of a specific Defence Commissioner portfolio were a real game-changer – particularly in terms of establishing regular contacts between industry and the EU officials.
What role does ASD play in the European aerospace, security and defence industry landscape, and how has it evolved over time?
ASD today is the main common European industry interlocutor to all EU institutions and beyond. It has become a major contributor to EU legislation in the field of aerospace, security and defence. Given the current international developments, this role is crucial for Europe’s overall security.
From your perspective, what are the biggest challenges that ASD and the European defence sector will face in the next decade, and how is ASD positioned to address them?
At this very moment, we cannot be sure that the path towards European integration in security and defence will continue as steadily as we might wish. Given the security challenges which we are facing as a continent that is still mostly governed by Member States’ with sometimes particular national interests, we cannot preclude a stronger focus on national solutions, despite all efforts at European level.
ASD will have to continue to keep the European industry flag high in order to prevent a re-nationalisation and hence re-fragmentation of the European defence industry.
ASD at 20
We asked industry experts who've been involved with ASD working bodies over a number of years to reflect on two decades of impact across the European aerospace, security, and defence industry
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