Two multi-billion-euro weapons manufacturers are sponsoring a speaking event with EU commissioner for democracy, justice and rule of law Michael McGrath.
McGrath will speak at the 5 February Forum Europa event sponsored by Indra Group and Airbus – both manufacture military aircraft, armed drones and combat systems.
Forum Europa, part of the lobbying group New Economy International Forum, thanks both arm manufacturers in the event invitation, seen by The Ditch.
Its sponsors include major weapons manufacturers, whose commercial interests are closely tied to EU military and security policy. Microsoft and Spanish telecommunications company Telefónica are also listed as sponsors of the group.
Producing military drones for NATO
Though New Economy International Forum has historically operated as a lobbying group, records indicate it is no longer registered as such since October last year.
It continues to hold events that connect senior political figures, corporations and weapons manufacturers.
Both Airbus and Indra Group manufacture military equipment for combat use.
Indra Group – a Spanish defence and aerospace company with revenues of €4.8 billion in 2024 – last week announced plans to open a weapons factory in the León province of Spain in partnership with United Arab Emirates defence contractor EDGE Group.
The proposal, valued at approximately $2.2 billion, includes the development of “advanced” military drones for use by NATO.
Indra is also a member of the Irish Defence and Security Association (IDSA), a self-described “industry group” that lobbies government on behalf of Lockheed Martin, Saab and other arms dealers.
Earlier this year The Ditch reported that IDSA is receiving quarterly briefings from the Department of Defence.
Airbus produces military aircraft, helicopters, and armed drones, along with systems that integrate missiles, rockets and other weapons for armed forces. It’s one of the biggest defence contractors in the EU, with revenue of €69 billion in 2024, according to its website.
In January 2025 the Electronic Intifada reported that Airbus had signed a two-year contract worth $192 million with EU border agency Frontex, which in 2021 was described by Human Rights Watch as having “repeatedly failed to take effective action when allegations of human rights violations are brought to its attention”.
Six years previously, in January 2019, Amnesty International’s Outsourcing Responsibility: Human Rights Policies in the Defence Sector report accused Airbus of failing to properly conduct due diligence procedures when selling its products.
Forum Europa and Michael McGrath have been contacted for comment.
