Source: Brand Finance

Assessed based on  three Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): Familiarity (knowledge of the nation), Reputation (the nation’s perceived image) and Influence (perceived global influence). 8 Soft Power Pillars: 1) International Relations, 2) Education & Science, 3) Media & Communications, 4) Familiarity & Influence, 5) Culture & Arts, 6) People & Values, 7) Business & Finance, and 8) Governance & Policy.

Source: Reporters Without Borders

1. Estonia
2. Netherlands
3. Sweden
4. Finland
5. Denmark
6. Ireland
7. Portugal
8. Czech Republic
9. Germany
10. Luxembourg
11. Lithuania
12. Latvia
13. Belgium
14. Austria
15. Spain
16. France
17. Poland
18. Slovenia
19. Slovakia
20. Italy
21. Romania
22. Croatia
23. Malta
24. Hungary
25. Bulgaria
26. Cyprus
27. Greece

• Turnover: € 119 billion  
• 463 000 people directly employed
• More than 2 500 small and medium companies 
• Aerospace and Defence Industries Association of Europe (ASD): Association that advocates for the interests of aeronautics, space, defence, and security industries in Europe. At the national level, ASD comprises 23 national associations across 18 countries. Moreover, 18 of the largest defence companies are direct members of ASD, without going through the national associations.

The defence industry in Europe

Defence-related small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are key enablers of innovation and growth. Europe’s defence industry should be fully able to draw upon the innovations coming from SMEs; including those SMEs that are mainly active in civil industries. More than 2,500 SMEs are playing a central role in the complex defence supply chains in Europe. However, an over-riding characteristic of these supply chains is that they function largely on a national basis, with limited cross-border cooperation.

Defense advocates are increasingly concentrating their efforts on EU officials and policy-makers. While lobbying activities have traditionally interested Member States; defense and security integration at the European level have progressively drawn attention of European defense companies.

European defense companies engage in lobbying both individually and collectively. Most of them have offices in Brussels and employ lobbyists with direct access to the European Parliament. Companies may also use consultancies and intermediaries that lobby on their behalf.

The U.S. and China have embarked on an escalatory spiral that could lead to disaster for both. Trump’s  latest attack have convinced the Chinese leadership that the Trump administration is seeking to humiliate China and wreck its economy. China has now decided to fight back. It imposed an across-the-board 84% increase on U.S. exports, hitting some $ 143.5 billion of revenue for American companies. It also placed new restrictions on exports of some strategically important minerals, added some U.S.

he European defence industry employs around 500,000 people  directly and indirectly generates 1 200 000 jobs .

The structure of the European defence industry is highly dispersed with a few large players and about 1350 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). While companies are scattered over almost the whole EU, a few countries (Austria, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom) host the bulk of SMEs as well as top companies.

1. St. Pierre & Miquelon: 50%
2. Lesotho: 50%
3. Cambodia: 49%
4. Laos: 48%
5. Madagascar: 47%
6. Vietnam: 46%
7. Sri Lanka: 44%
8. Falkland Islands: 42%
9. Syria: 41%
10. Mauritius: 40%
11. Iraq: 39%
12. Botswana: 38%
13. Guyana: 38%
14. Serbia: 38%
15. Thailand: 37%
16. Banglagesh: 37%
17. Liechtensrein: 37%
18. Reunion: 37%
19. Boznia & Herzegovina: 36%
20. China: 34%
21. North Macedonia: 33%
22. Taiwan: 32%
23. Switzerland: 32%
24. Algeria: 32%

The CDU/CSU this time around will be led by Friedrich Merz. Barring a major and unexpected reversal in the polls, Merz of the CDU/CSU is highly likely to be Germany’s new chancellor.

National opinion polls currently have the CDU/CSU way out ahead of the others, with 32% of support from those surveyed. The AfD are currently polling in second place with 18%, the SPD in third with 16%, and the Greens with 14%.

Merz is not a newcomer to German politics, but this is his second iteration as a politician.

Dans son palmarès annuel des cent premiers industriels de l'armement, dont la version 2024 vient d'être publiée (6), le SIPRI rappelle combien l'industrie mondiale de l'équipement militaire est toujours plus dominée par les fournisseurs américains, avec 41 groupes classés dans les cent premiers mondiaux, les cinq dominants restant accrochés à leur podium, année après année (7).