Madrid, Spain, 27 May 2026 – OCCAR-EA Director Joachim
Sucker met with Lieutenant General Miguel Ivorra Ruiz, Director General for
Strategy and Innovation in the Defence Industry, for consultations aimed at
further strengthening European defence cooperation and industrial cooperation.
The discussions focused on ongoing and future cooperative
armament programmes, as well as the role of OCCAR in delivering efficient,
multinational capability development across Europe. Particular attention was
given to Spain’s active contribution to a broad portfolio of OCCAR-managed
programmes, including the A400M military transport aircraft, the Multi Mission Patrol Corvette (MMPC), the TIGER attack
helicopter and its MkIII upgrade, the ESSOR secure communications system, and
emerging initiatives such as MALE RPAS (Eurodrone) and HYDEF, which address
next-generation operational requirements.
Director Sucker highlighted the particular importance of
OCCAR as a key enabler of cooperative defence procurement and programme
management, contributing significantly to interoperability, cost efficiency,
and the strengthening of the European Defence Technological and Industrial
Base.
Lieutenant General Ivorra Ruiz welcomed the exchange and
reaffirmed Spain’s strong commitment to OCCAR and its programmes, underlining
their importance for both national capability development and European
strategic autonomy. He also pledged continued full support for OCCAR’s work in
the years ahead.