The EIB grants 385 million euros in financing to Indra Group to boost its R&D in defence and space technologies
It will help Indra build its technology research and development centre, Indra Technology Hub, and advance in radar, electronic defence, command and control communications and advanced digitalisation technologies.
The financing supports technological innovation in Europe, is part of the EIB Group's actions to strengthen European security and defence capabilities, a cross-cutting priority for the Group, and contributes to the TechEU initiative.
The European Investment Bank (EIB) has signed a €385 million financing agreement with Indra Group to boost the Spanish technology company's research and development activities. The financing will enable Indra to invest in R&D&I for the development of cutting-edge technologies for the defence and space sectors. This is the largest financing agreement signed to date by the EIB in Spain to strengthen the European Union's security and defence capabilities.
The financing will be used for research and development of cutting-edge technologies in areas such as radar, electronic defence, electro-optics, command and control communications and advanced digitalisation technologies. The EIB financing will also enable Indra to undertake the necessary investments to build a new integrated technology centre, Indra Technology Hub, which will be located in Torrejón de Ardoz, in the Autonomous Community of Madrid, and will be equipped with laboratories and advanced manufacturing technologies to provide services to the defence and space sector.
The financing agreement was signed today at the EIB headquarters in Luxembourg, at a ceremony attended by Nadia Calviño, President of the EIB Group, Robert de Groot, Vice-President of the EIB, and Ángel Escribano, President of Indra Group.
'Today we are signing a strategic agreement with Indra to boost research and development of cutting-edge technologies. In the current geopolitical context, it is more important than ever to strengthen Europe's security capabilities, with a pan-European approach and strategic projects. Investing in innovation and technology is investing in security. And the EIB's support is key to enabling companies to develop projects that contribute to the security of all Europeans,' said Nadia Calviño, President of the EIB Group.
'This agreement will boost the development of innovation and real capabilities in the field of defence and space, which plays a critical role in the security of the EU. The EIB's support for Indra's innovation and the creation of its Technology Hub will help Europe stay at the forefront of technology, become more resilient and act with greater autonomy in a constantly changing world,' said Robert de Groot, EIB Vice-President responsible for security and defence activities.
The project will strengthen the competitiveness of European industry and the resilience of the EU's aerospace and security and defence supply chain. It contributes to the EIB's cross-cutting and ongoing public policy objective of strengthening European security and defence capabilities, to the strategic priorities included in its Strategic Roadmap for 2024-2027 to strengthen the European security and defence industry and accelerate digitalisation and technological innovation, as well as to its TechEU initiative.
‘The granting of this financing by the EIB boosts our industrial and technological development in line with the 'Leading the Future' strategic plan and our vision of becoming a key player in the security, defence and aerospace sector in Europe. The support of this public funding will enable Indra to accelerate the deployment of our industrial and innovation capabilities, as well as strengthen our leadership in the field of security and defence in the new European sovereignty environment,' said Ángel Escribano, Indra Group Chairman.
The EIB Group and support for European security and defence
Since 2024, the EIB Group has significantly stepped up its support for the development of European security and defence capabilities. Its activities in this area are a cross-cutting and permanent public policy objective of the Group, as well as being part of its eight strategic priorities for the period 2024-2027.
The Group has revised its lending policy to broaden the eligibility criteria and the range of security and defence projects it can finance. It has also set up a Security and Defence Office to ensure a rapid and effective response to project proposals.
The EIB Group's objective is to allocate 3.5% of its total financing planned for 2025 (approximately 3.5 billion euros) to security and defence-related projects.
As a result of its ongoing and productive dialogue with industry and financial intermediaries, defence ministries and key institutions such as the European Commission, the European Defence Agency and NATO, the Group has a solid portfolio of 80 projects under review that contribute to the EU's security and defence capabilities.
The European Investment Bank (EIB) is the European Union's long-term financing institution, whose shareholders are its Member States. Taking the eight key priorities as a reference, we finance investments that contribute to the EU's strategic objectives by promoting climate action and the environment, digitalisation and technological innovation, security and defence, cohesion, agriculture and the bioeconomy, social infrastructure, the Capital Markets Union and a stronger Europe in a more peaceful and prosperous world.
The EIB Group, which also includes the European Investment Fund, signed nearly 89 billion euros in new financing for more than 900 high-impact projects in 2024, boosting Europe's competitiveness and security.
All projects financed by the EIB Group are in line with the Paris Agreement, as set out in the Climate Bank Roadmap. Almost 60% of the EIB Group's annual financing is dedicated to supporting projects that contribute directly to climate change mitigation and adaptation and to creating a healthier environment.
In Spain, the EIB Group signed 12.3 billion euros in new financing for more than 100 high-impact projects in 2024. In France, the EIB Group signed new financing worth 12.6 billion euros for more than 100 high-impact projects in 2024. This financing is contributing to the green and digital transition of both countries, to economic growth, competitiveness and improved services for their citizens.
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