‘Strictly confidential’: PwC host arms industry and European Defence Agency in Dublin

PwC hosted a private briefing for Irish companies seeking defence contracts, the arms industry representatives and the European Defence Agency (EDA), according to a “strictly confidential” invitation seen by The Ditch.

The invite for the event was marked "personal and non-transferable" while correspondence for the briefing referred to the “unprecedented” levels of EU defence spending.  

The EDA is an EU body that supports member states in expanding their militaries and channels EU funding to the arms industry. 

Aligning their expertise with Europe's evolving defence priorities

PwC, listed as a member of the Irish Defence and Security Association (IDSA), held the briefing at its Spencer Dock offices on 16 September, 2025.  

IDSA is a lobbying group that represents the arms industry and Irish businesses seeking defence contracts. Its members include Lockheed Martin, Saab and KNDS. Lockheed Martin has provided weaponry used by the Israel Defense Forces in Gaza.

Correspondence describes IDSA members as enterprises operating in "the research/R&D sector" at a time when "EU Member States are investing in defence at unprecedented levels".

"Industry is under pressure to ramp up production and adapt technologies to meet soaring demand,” reads the correspondence.

European Defence Agency representatives at the meeting would analyse Europe's defence industrial base, industry engagement and access to finance, the correspondence shows.  

The invitation says the meeting would allow the EDA to "explore opportunities, share insights, and highlight how the agency can support enterprises in aligning their expertise with Europe's evolving defence priorities”.

The 90-minute discussion was described as a "facilitated information exchange" during which IDSA members would share "their perspectives in detail while introducing their respective enterprises”.

This wasn’t the first time IDSA and its clients met the EDA. 

The Ditch previously reported that the Department of Defence facilitated a meeting between IDSA and EDA chief executive Jiří Šedivý in 2023 – but the Department refused to disclose who attended. 

The department subsequently had agreed to treat its dealings with the group as confidential, telling the Information Commissioner that disclosure "would likely harm the trust that exists" between the department and IDSA.

Last year internal documents obtained by The Ditch revealed plans by IDSA to target politicians, influence policymakers and place articles in the media, despite acknowledging the Irish public has "no appetite" to increase investment in defence.

PwC and the EDA have been contacted for comment. IDSA declined to comment.