# FADEC — Flanders Aerospace & Defence Cluster

> FADEC connects Flemish aerospace, space and defence companies to European programmes: prime qualification, EDF and EDIP consortia, capital and export.

Source: https://fadec.aero/

FADEC is the Flanders Aerospace & Defence Cluster: an industry-led, government-aligned platform that turns Flemish industrial capability into qualified positions on European aerospace, space and defence programmes. Rooted in Belgium. Focused on Europe.

FADEC is the single, operational entry point that turns Flemish industrial capability into qualified positions on European aerospace, space and defence programmes. It brokers qualification with primes, opens capital, and de-risks entry into eleven export market clusters — with named owners, service standards and a 90-day activation plan.

## Key facts

- Type: industry-led, government-aligned aerospace, space and defence cluster ("a commercial instrument, not a networking club").
- Base: headquartered in Flanders, Belgium, with permanent Brussels representation towards the EU and NATO.
- Scope: Belgium and Europe, working with EU Commission programmes (EDF, EDIP, SAFE, Horizon Europe, ESA, EU Space Programme).
- 8 focus domains: Aerospace Manufacturing, Space Technologies, Defence-Adjacent Aerospace, Advanced Materials, Drones & UAS, Satellite Applications, Digital Engineering & AI, Sustainable Aviation.
- 6 permanent operating bodies: Strategic Council, Investment Council, Industrial Partnership Office, Export Accelerator Division, Advisory Committees, Signature Annual Event.
- 8 membership tiers: Launch (Start-up), Core (SME), Advance (Mid-cap), Prime (Large corporate), Capital (Investor), Knowledge (Research), Public (Institutional), Ecosystem Partner (Mission-aligned partner).
- Founding cohort: 60 places for organisations enrolling before 31 December 2026.
- Every new member gets a 90-day activation plan with a named cluster owner.
- Contact: membership@fadec.aero

## European engagement

Most programme-level positions this cycle will be won by consortia, not single companies. FADEC forms consortia and DESCA-style agreements before calls open:

- European Defence Fund (EDF) consortium building
- EDIP and SAFE industrial instruments
- Horizon Europe and ESA calls
- Consortium coordinator support and template legal pack
- Permanent Brussels representation towards EU and NATO