Ricardo Domínguez, President of Navantia: “The Defense industry is growth and innovation and needs stability”
- More than 500 companies from all over Spain participate in each of the main programs for the Spanish Navy, the F-110 and the S-80
- "Building a secure future involves building solid foundations for collaboration with Europe, with administrations, companies and technological and educational centers"
The president of Navantia, Ricardo Domínguez, stressed this Wednesday, at the inauguration of the International Defense and Security Fair (FEINDEF), the strategic nature of the defense industry and its role as an engine of growth and qualified employment throughout Spain. For this reason, he has opted for a common effort of the industry and the institutions that guarantees long-term stability.
"We need to align a defense plan among all public actors, industry, governments, regardless of the government, a plan that allows us stability and not saw teeth, so that we do not lose knowledge or people," said Ricardo Domínguez during his conference 'Navantia and the defense industry, building a secure future'.
The president of the public company has highlighted the importance of international collaboration and has valued the collaboration agreement that Navantia has reached with Fincantieri, "competitors and friends", which is signed this Wednesday at FEINDEF.
“Building a safe and sustainable future requires building solid foundations for collaboration with Europe, with administrations, companies and technological and educational centers. It is necessary to set the course towards a more modern, technology-intensive and competitive production model based on innovation. The defense industry is called to be an example of this paradigm and Navantia is prepared for this leadership that it faces with commitment. Our roadmap is the permanent commitment to excellence and our commitment is with the future of our country ”, said the president of Navantia.
Ricardo Domínguez has illustrated the impact of the Defense industry with the cases of the two main programs that Navantia has in place for the Spanish Navy, the S-80 and the F-110. In both cases, there are more than 500 companies from all over Spain that participate in its value chain. The economic activity around the S-80 class submarines generates around 5,000 jobs (direct, indirect and induced), while in the case of the F-110 frigates it is estimated at 9,000.
Both programs are also a source of innovation: The F-110 will be the lever of the Ferrol shipyard's digital transformation and will be the first ship to incorporate a digital twin. Also the integration of systems in an "integrated services system" that will substantially reduce cabling.
In addition, within the framework of the S80 program, the R + D + i project called BALIT is being developed, which aims to carry out a study to dispose of smaller lithium batteries in a conventional submarine, instead of lead batteries.
In 2020, Navantia allocated a total of 57.7 million euros, 5.5% of its income, to innovation projects in which more than 400 of its own employees work. Its portfolio of around 50 projects per year. Of these, more than 30% are large technology projects of their own or in European collaboration, 25% are digitization projects and 45% are technology projects.