ASD Convention 2026

The ASD Convention 2026 opens on the evening of 27 April with networking and a welcome reception in the heart of Lisbon, and continues with a full day of engaging sessions on 28 April.

17:15–18:00 – Speed Networking 

An energising start to the Convention, this structured speed‑networking session for SMEs is designed to help delegates make meaningful connections before the main programme begins. Participants will be guided through short, focused conversations that maximise the number and quality of new contacts.

18:00–20:00 – Welcome Reception 

Delegates are then invited to join their hosts for a welcome reception at one of Lisbon’s most distinctive venues. The reception will offer informal networking in a relaxed setting, bringing together SME leaders, senior industry executives and institutional stakeholders on the eve of the Convention.

08:00–09:00 – SME Leadership Networking Breakfast 

The day opens with an SME Leadership Networking Breakfast, offering aerospace, defence and security SMEs an opportunity to connect with larger industrial partners, financial actors and policymakers in an informal setting.

09:10–09:30 – Welcome Remarks 

A formal welcome will set the scene for the SME programme, with opening remarks from ASD President Micael Johansson (CEO of Saab), together with José Neves, President of AED Cluster Portugal.

09:30–10:20 Panel 1 – From policy to practice – building a stronger aerospace & defence SME ecosystem  

Moderator: Reinhard Marak, CEO, Austrian Defence & Security Industry – ASW

Speakers:

Marc Helmig, Head of the SME Department, BDSV

Guillaume de La Brosse, Head of Unit, Defence Policy & Innovation, DG DEFIS, European Commission

Dário Pedro, CEO, Beyond Vision

10:20–10:40 – Networking Coffee

10:40–11:30 – Panel: From start-up to strategic partner – SME best practices and supply chain expectations

Moderator: Andrea Barbagelata, SMEs Counsellor, ASD Europe

Speakers:

Pedro Petiz, Director of Strategic Development, Tekever

Dimitrios Nodaros, Director, AKMON S.A.

Steen Hommel, Terma, EVP Public Affairs, Communication and Partnerships, Terma

Katarina Björklund, VP EU & NATO Innovation, Saab

Pablo González, Director of NATO and European Defence Programmes, Indra

11:30–11:45 – Networking Coffee

11:45–12:45. Presentations: Funding & financing opportunities for aerospace & defence SMEs  

A series of focused presentations showcasing the financial instruments, grant programmes, and accelerator pathways available to aerospace and defence SMEs looking to grow, innovate, and scale. 

11:45 – 12:00 | Euronext ELITE

Federico Cislaghi, Strategy & Business Development Manager ELITE-Euronext; and Rita Albuquerque, Listing Director Portugal at Euronext, Euronext ELITE

12:00 – 12:15 | Deutsche Bank

Faysal Rahman, Director for Defence, Deutsche Bank

12:15 – 12:30 | European Defence Fund & EDIP

Paulo Branco, Policy Officer, DG DEFIS, European Commission

12:30 – 12:45 | NATO Innovation Fund

Rui Metelo Marques, National Expert, NATO Innovation Fund

12:45–14:00 – Networking Lunch 

A networking lunch will bring together SME participants, institutional speakers and larger industrial players, enabling follow‑up discussions.

14:00–15:00 – Panel: European civil aeronautics – from industrial strategy to industrial strength

Moderator: Vincent De Vroey, Civil Aviation Director, ASD Europe

Speakers:

Axel Krein, Executive Director, Clean Aviation Joint Undertaking

Duarte Lopes da Silva, Member of the Board, Autoridade Nacional da Aviação Civil

Bertrand De Lacombe, CABU Chair, Airbus

Klaus Schneider, Managing Director of Liebherr-Aerospace Lindenberg, CTO of Liebherr-Aerospace & Transportation

Victor Martinez, Executive VP for Global ATM Business, INDRA

15:00–15:30 – Networking Coffee

15:30–15:40 – Opening of the Defence & Security Session by Rear Admiral António Mateus, Deputy National Armaments Director, Portugal.

The Defence & Security Session will be opened with a keynote address by Real Admiral António Mateus.

15:40–16:00 Conversation with special guest, facilitated by Camille Grand

16:00–17:10 – Panel 2: Buy European, build together – enhancing Europe's technological sovereignty

Moderator: Burkard Schmitt, Defence & Security Director, ASD Europe

Speakers:

Tomasz Husak, Director, DG Defence Industry and Space, European Commission

Anders Sjöborg, Deputy Chief Executive, European Defence Agency

Markus Staudt, Director of Sales, Quantum-Systems

Arkadiusz Bak, First Vice-President, PGZ

Ricardo Pinheiro Alves, President of the IDD, Portuguese Ministry of Defence

Christian Hadjiminas, CEO of Theon

17:10–17:30 – Networking coffee

17:30–18:20 – Panel: Challenges for aerospace & defence industries

Moderator: Camille Grand, ASD Secretary General

Speakers:

Éric Trappier, CEO, Dassault Aviation

Micael Johansson, ASD President & CEO, Saab

18:20–18:30 – Keynote speech by João Ferreira, Secretary of State for Economy

18:30–18:40 – Closing remarks by José Neves, President, AED Cluster Portugal

20:00–22:30 – Gala Dinner 

The ASD Convention Gala Dinner at an iconic venue in Lisbon will provide a high‑level networking setting for senior representatives from industry, EU and national institutions, and partner organisations.