BDO hosts Spain’s first Legal Forum on Defence and Security
BDO Abogados has held the first-ever Legal Forum on Defence and Security in Spain, bringing together senior military officials, legal experts, and prominent figures from the defence industry to discuss key issues shaping the sector.
The event was opened by Ignacio Legido, Managing Partner of BDO Abogados’ Legal Division, followed by a keynote address from Admiral General Teodoro López Calderón, Chief of the Defence Staff (JEMAD). In his remarks, the JEMAD highlighted the need for transatlantic cooperation, EU cohesion, and broader public engagement to meet today’s security challenges. “We are experiencing a turning point in the European defence architecture,” he said, “which requires a coordinated response from both public institutions and civil society.”
He also stressed the importance of strategic autonomy, continued preparedness, and industrial modernization within Spain’s defence sector, affirming that “Spain is meeting its commitments.”
The first panel focused on the unique nature of military procurement and the need to streamline defence and security contracting regulations. Panelists included Estrella Pardo (Grupo OESÍA), Alejandro Rubio (NAVANTIA), and David Santos (INDRA), with moderation by Pablo García-Manzano of BDO Abogados. The discussion centered on the urgency of reforming EU regulations to better address the current geopolitical climate.
A second panel, moderated by BDO M&A partner Álvaro Marco, addressed consolidation and financing models in the defence sector. Joaquín Ortiz (Hyperion Fund) and Carlos Carbó (Nazca Capital) discussed the sector’s investment potential and called for a simpler regulatory environment to encourage growth and consolidation.
Following a break, a roundtable on reindustrialization and increased defence spending featured legal leaders from Escribano Mechanical & Engineering, Airbus, and Hispasat. Moderated by Juan Gómez-Acebo (BDO Abogados), the discussion emphasized the importance of national production capabilities and job creation to reduce reliance on foreign suppliers and strengthen technological autonomy.
Chris Bailey, General Manager of Global National Security at AWS, delivered an international perspective in his session titled “Technology, Intelligence, and Public Security: What Can We Expect?”
The final panel explored cybersecurity, innovation, and military technology in light of ongoing geopolitical shifts. Moderated by Javier Gómez-Ferrer (BDO Abogados), it included Lt. General José Antonio Herrera (JEMACON), retired Brig. General Fernando Davara (España Digital), and Col. Ignacio Fuente (Spanish Institute for Strategic Studies). They examined how technologies like AI and drones are reshaping the future of warfare, making data and intelligence the central elements of modern conflict.
Closing the event, TEDAE president Ricardo Martí Fluxá stressed the need for long-term policy planning. “In a world of constant change,” he said, “we must build bridges to ensure a stable and secure future. A sustained defence budget offers certainty to an industry that has proven its resilience and adaptability.”
