Micael Johansson, CEO of Sweden’s aerospace and defence firm Saab, will assume leadership of the Aerospace, Security and Defence Industries Association of Europe (ASD) starting 15 June 2025. Speaking at the European Defence & Security Summit, he pushed for EU member states to pool a portion of their defence budgets into a shared fund, enabling joint development of critical systems and closing capability gaps.
Johansson applauded the European Commission’s Readiness 2030 framework—featuring relaxed fiscal rules unlocking up to €650 billion, and a €150 billion “SAFE” loan instrument—but warned that national-level spending decisions limit European-wide coordination. He suggested embedding a €100 billion fund within the upcoming European Defence Industrial Programme (EDIP) to back large-scale flagship initiatives.
Europe currently faces fragmented defence markets, hindering interoperability and agility. Johansson emphasized that flagship projects—covering air defence, long-range strike systems, drones, and electronic warfare—would bring the EU closer to strategic autonomy and reduce reliance on U.S. security support. He described the proposed fund as “a big step” requiring bold political leadership and a willingness to trade some national sovereignty for European security. As a continent facing complex threats, he believes Europe must match ambition with real financial commitment.
