Simplastic at Leiria Centro Exportador: Insights on the Defense Industry Opportunity
We were present at yesterday’s “6th edition of Leiria Centro Exportador” event which offered valuable perspectives on international business opportunities.
“Generating Opportunities in the Defense Industry” provided particularly enlightening insights.
The testimonies from TEKEVER, Embraer, and Thales in Portugal were eye-opening about what this sector represents for our region’s industrial cluster. However, a crucial message emerged: this is not a quick alternative to replace other sectors. Defense projects require extremely demanding development timelines, clients are Countries and supply contracts can span decades.
Professor Liliana Reis and Colonel Carlos Mendes Dias brought urgency to the conversation, highlighting Portugal’s own critical need for defense investment. They explained procurement processes, European partnerships, and the stark reality facing countries on Russia’s border—an instability that feels distant here, far from drone attacks, but is very real.
It was inspiring to hear how Portuguese expertise and approach have positioned TEKEVER as a partner in Ukraine, since 2022, with daily field testing involving Portuguese engineers, researchers, and operational teams on the ground.
Simplastic had the privilege of attending and exchanging valuable impressions with the speakers. We’re grateful to everyone we had the opportunity to speak with throughout the day.
This sector demands patience, long-term vision, and strategic commitment—but the opportunities for those willing to invest are significant.
Congratulations to AAPI – Associação de Ação Para a Internacionalização and Leiria Centro Exportador for facilitating this important discussion.
