Tadeusz Truskolaski moves forward on his ECON report on the EU Defence Industry

At today’s ECON meeting, Mayor Tadeusz Truskolaski delivered a compelling message of his opinion: the transformation of the EU defence industry needs to be firmly grounded in regions. According to Mayor Truskolaski, this regional focus should not be limited to the allocation of funding, but must be embedded right from the planning and implementation stages.

He emphasised that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), start-ups and scale-ups, dual-use innovation, and resilient supply chains are the backbone of Europe’s security and competitiveness. By fostering dispersed transport and production infrastructure, the EU can build a stronger, more flexible defence sector. Mayor Truskolaski made it clear that local and regional authorities are prepared to play an active role, contributing their expertise and energy to the creation of a more robust and resilient European Union.

A highlight of his remarks was the call for developing transport networks that go beyond connecting major urban centres. Mayor Truskolaski argued for greater attention to smaller towns and local infrastructure, advocating for distributed defence systems and the strengthening of transport and logistics hubs. Efficient transport and rapid relocation capacity, he noted, are vital for security, making it more difficult for adversaries to target critical assets and respond quickly.

The mayor’s vision points to a future where Europe’s defence industry not only supports security but also drives economic growth across regions—empowering SMEs, leveraging innovation, and building resilient networks that keep Europe safe and competitive. With regional and local leaders ready to step up, the EU has a strong foundation for transformative progress in its defence sector.