# About — FADEC

> Industry-led and government-aligned: how FADEC's six operating bodies turn Flemish capability into positions on European defence and space programmes to 2035.

Source: https://fadec.aero/about

## Why now

- Allied defence spending is on a decade-long upward path towards the 3.5% core / 1.5% enabling framework, and EU instruments (EDF, EDIP, SAFE, ASAP) prioritise cross-border industrial consortia.
- Primes are re-shoring and consolidating supply chains: fewer suppliers, deeper scopes, longer contracts. Supplier slots awarded in 2026–2028 define positions for the following decade.
- Capital is available but selective — defence-capable funds, CVC and sovereign vehicles deploy where companies show programme traction, not just technology.
- Flanders holds the assets — aerostructures, composites, precision electromechanics, materials, photonics, logistics, AI — but the base is fragmented and largely invisible to prime procurement.

## How FADEC differs from a traditional association

| Traditional association | FADEC | Result |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Events and representation | Deal origination and matchmaking with named counterparties | Meetings that convert, tracked to contract stage |
| Newsletters and position papers | Programme intelligence with named platforms, tiers and timing | Bid decisions taken earlier, with better qualification |
| Introductions on request | Structured Partnership Office pipeline with quarterly reviews | Accountable pipeline, not ad-hoc favours |
| Grant signposting | Consortium construction, coordinator support, template legal pack | Fewer failed submissions; faster consortium closure |
| Trade-mission logistics | Export Accelerator with priority markets and in-market agents | Qualified buyer meetings, not stand duty |

## Operating bodies

- **Strategic Council** (Quarterly): Sets the 2026–2035 agenda and aligns cluster priorities with Flemish, Belgian, EU and NATO planning. Members get: Agenda influence; seat or observer status by tier.
- **Investment Council** (Quarterly + rolling): Connects members to CVC, deep-tech VC, family offices, EIB/EIF and national strategic funds, with investor-readiness review. Members get: Pitch slots, investor introductions, readiness diagnostics.
- **Industrial Partnership Office** (Continuous): Brokers tier-1/tier-2 qualification and build-to-print / build-to-spec work packages with primes, plus bid teaming. Members get: Named account manager, curated introductions, pipeline reviews.
- **Export Accelerator Division** (Programme-based): Market entry, in-market agents, offset and industrial participation, third-country compliance screening. Members get: Market entry plan, qualified buyer meetings, mission places.
- **Advisory Committees** (Every 6–8 weeks): Domain expert panels on standards, certification, skills, security of supply and dual-use rules. Members get: Committee seats matched to your domains.
- **Signature Annual Event** (Annual): Flanders' anchor convening moment for primes, capital, government and the supply base. Members get: Delegate places, speaking and exhibition rights by tier.

## Targets

| Outcome | Baseline | 2028 | 2030 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Member organisations | 40 founding | 120 | 200 |
| Supplier qualifications with primes | — | 35 | 90 |
| EU / ESA consortia with Flemish lead or co-lead | — | 12 | 30 |
| Capital raised by members via Investment Council | — | €80m | €250m |
| Export market entries supported | — | 60 | 160 |
| Direct high-value jobs supported in Flanders | — | 450 | 1,200 |