LuxDefence Set Up to Support Luxembourg Defence Effort

On Monday 16 June 2025, the Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce announced plans to create LuxDefence Asbl, the national association of defence companies.

In an international context marked by geopolitical instability requiring increased European investment in defence, the Chamber of Commerce and companies in the defence sector have decided to create a national association of defence companies.

Luxembourg's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Xavier Bettel, officially announced the creation of LuxDefence Asbl at the Paris Air Show on Monday; Luxembourg's Minister of Defence, Yuriko Backes, was also present at the event. According to the Chamber of Commerce, this new entity aims to structure and represent an emerging industrial ecosystem, at a time when Luxembourg has committed to dedicating 2% of its gross national income (GNI) to defence.

The Chamber of Commerce said it had become imperative for national companies to establish a framework for coordination, collaboration, and representation. With this in mind, Luxembourg companies already involved in defence, security or dual-use technologies have joined forces within LuxDefence. Created as a non-profit organisation, this new structure aims to become a key player at the national and European levels.

This decision is a direct result of the Lux4Defence initiative, launched by the Chamber of Commerce and presented to the government in late March 2025, particularly addressing one of the strategic report's key recommendations: enabling defence companies to federate and strengthen their coordination, visibility and ability to participate in large-scale European projects.

"Faced with a shifting strategic environment, where European defence cooperation is growing and the need for sovereign technologies is booming, the creation of LuxDefence reflects a shared will among all its members: to contribute to the structuring of a defence ecosystem in Luxembourg that is aligned with its technological capabilities and has ambitions to contribute at the European level," explained André Wilmes, President of LuxDefence.

"While the defence sector in Luxembourg is still young, it already relies on recognised technological expertise and represents significant economic potential. Issues of technological sovereignty and industrial resilience have become crucial at the European level. With its agile and innovative positioning, Luxembourg has a role to play in building a competitive defence industrial and technological base," said Carlo Thelen, CEO of the Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce and Secretary of LuxDefence.

The Chamber of Commerce stated that, until now, collective action capabilities, skills pooling and company representation before national and international institutions were insufficient due to the lack of a formal coordination structure. LuxDefence has been officially established to meet this need. The association aims to become the government’s trusted partner - a strategic tool to maximise the economic return on the country's defence investment.

LuxDefence has six main missions:

- represent and coordinate the interests of its members with national, European and international authorities;

- be a source of proposals and a constructive partner for the government;

- foster collaboration and innovation among companies through events, workshops and joint projects;

- support economic development by facilitating access to strategic tenders and market opportunities;

- promote Luxembourg know-how, increase the visibility of member companies and raise awareness of defence-related issues;

- ensure technological and strategic monitoring by contributing to discussions on the future of the national defence industrial and technological base.

LuxDefence may also partner with international entities to firmly integrate Luxembourg companies into major European and transatlantic defence value chains.

The Chamber of Commerce added that LuxDefence is now inviting all Luxembourg companies active or interested in defence and security to join this new unifying framework.

The LuxDefence Board of Directors is composed of: André Wilmes (Rafinex), President; Robert Schaus (PrestaCylinders), Vice-President; Carlo Thelen (Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce), Secretary; Patrick Biewer (LuxGovSat), Treasurer; Frank Thomé (Ceratizit), Board Member.