The European defence industry is undergoing major changes. In response to evolving geopolitical developments and the EU’s efforts to strengthen its Defence Technological and Industrial Base (EDTIB), the sector is increasing production, accelerating innovation and expanding its technological capabilities.
To deliver advanced solutions in areas such as digital technologies, space systems, artificial intelligence and engineering, the sector must retain critical expertise and attract new talent.
To better understand these challenges, DG DEFIS commissioned a study carried out by Novaspace, RAND Europe and Verian.
This study collected new EU-wide data on how the defence industry is perceived by students, young professionals and current or former employees, providing evidence to support future policy and industry action.
Data base: surveys and workshops
Two large-scale online surveys were conducted across EU Member States.
- The first survey targeted students and young professionals with little or no direct connection to the defence sector.
- The second survey focused on current and former defence employees. In total, more than 2,600 students and young professionals and over 700 current or former defence employees participated, thus providing a strong evidence base for the study’s findings.
To complement the survey findings, the study organised three interactive workshops bringing together students and early-career professionals, current defence sector employees, as well as industry representatives and experts in skills development and human resources.
Key findings
The study shows there is broad-based interest in contributing to Europe’s peace, security, and technological progress.
However, lingering perceptions, along with structural challenges, including limited visibility of recruitment processes and fewer cross-border opportunities, and cultural factors, such as ethical concerns and perceived rigidity of the sector, continue to limit engagement and retention in the sector.
Recommendations
The study concludes with recommendations in three key areas:
- increasing the visibility of the defence sector,
- improving career entry and development,
- and enhancing employment conditions.
For instance, raising awareness of career opportunities is crucial because greater knowledge of the sector is strongly linked to more positive perceptions.
National authorities and educational stakeholders can increase the visibility of the defence sector this by involving it in schools, universities, and job fairs. Both the EU and national bodies can also support industry in amplifying and aligning visibility efforts.