STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP AND SUPPLY OPPORTUNITIES
EPA Round Table Meetings
General Introduction and Participation File
Hybrid sessions and periodic follow-up meetings throughout the year
A partnership, supplier-assessment and co-production framework for defence, aerospace, maritime, machinery, electronics and advanced technology companies.
EU financing instrument for Member States’ defence investments
EPA event held in parallel with the EU Drone Summit 2026
01 Executive summary
Matching company capabilities with concrete industrial needs in Europe
This file, prepared under EPA coordination, presents the objectives, work areas and participation process of the EPA Round Table Meetings to companies wishing to develop business in the European defence industry ecosystem.
Core objective
To help participating companies present their production, engineering and technology capabilities to relevant organisations, and to assess supply and cooperation opportunities with potential prime contractors, system providers and industrial partners.
SAFE-focused approach
The aim is to connect the needs of organisations involved or expected to be involved in SAFE procurement projects with company capabilities. Preparation and promotion work can be carried out so that companies are considered in those organisations’ supplier assessment processes.
Who is it for?
Platform manufacturers and prime contractors; system and subsystem developers; suppliers of parts, materials and custom manufacturing; businesses providing maintenance, engineering, software, testing and logistics services. Industrial companies wishing to enter the defence sector with suitable technical capacity may also be considered.
Continuity
The 9–10 November 2026 sessions are part of a work process supported by periodic follow-up meetings throughout the year. The agenda for each company is built around its capabilities and priority business development goals.
Identifying target partners • Making technical capabilities visible • Preparing for supplier pre-assessment • Co-production options • Concrete post-meeting follow-up plan
02 SAFE and industry participation
Financing framework, procurement opportunities and assessment approach
SAFE (Security Action for Europe) is a European Union instrument providing up to €150 billion in loans to accelerate Member States’ defence investments through joint procurement. Financing is directed at Member States; commercial opportunities for companies take shape through the relevant procurement projects and industrial partnerships. [1, 2]
There is no single general company acceptance for SAFE, nor any supplier approval granted by EPA. Acceptance decisions depend on the procedures of the relevant buyers and prime contractors. The role and eligibility of Turkish companies are assessed separately for each concrete project and the conditions in force.
Attending the meetings does not constitute a guarantee of financing, tender award, contract or acceptance onto a supplier list.
03 Brussels meeting and hybrid model
9–10 November 2026 | In-person and online participation
The European Commission’s EU Drone Summit 2026 takes place in Brussels on 9–10 November 2026. The EPA Round Table Meetings are prepared in parallel with this calendar for companies’ partnership, procurement and project development goals. [3]
In-person participation
Sessions in Brussels are planned to include capability presentations by company representatives, thematic discussions and business development contacts with potential industrial partners. The exact venue and session details are shared during participation coordination.
Online participation
The hybrid structure allows remote executives and technical and commercial teams to join designated sessions. Connection details, times and presentation order are provided during the registration process.
Periodic follow-up throughout the year
After initial contacts, document sharing, technical questions, supplier assessment steps, co-production options and offer preparation are addressed in periodic follow-up meetings. The schedule is set according to company needs and the availability of the parties involved.
EPA sessions are a separate event; EPA participation does not replace EU Drone Summit registration. Participation of institutional experts and other counterparts is confirmed through the final programme.
04 Sectors and working tables
Thematic agenda prioritised according to company profile
Working tables are shaped by participants’ technical capabilities and the needs of the other side. The headings below are suggested matching areas; SAFE eligibility of each area is assessed project by project.
Suitable counterpart • Cooperation topic • Technical document requested • Responsible person • Next meeting or assessment step
05 Supplier and partnership development
From promotion to technical and commercial assessment
1. Structuring the company profile
Production infrastructure, product groups, certificates, references, capacity and delivery capabilities are brought together in a capability file. Priority products and services are identified.
2. Identifying target organisations
Areas that may match potential buyers, prime contractors, platform manufacturers and system providers are assessed. The scope of meetings is clarified according to counterparts’ interest and availability.
3. Capability presentation and pre-assessment
The company can present its technical and commercial capabilities in relevant sessions. The aim is to discuss supplier registration procedures, quality expectations, test/sample requirements and purchasing conditions.
4. Co-production and project options
Parts supply, subcontracting, system integration, co-production, maintenance and sustainment or joint bid models are discussed. Task sharing and feasibility are shaped by the parties’ technical and commercial assessment.
5. Action log and follow-up
After each meeting, requested documents, responsible persons, target dates and the next step are recorded. Follow-up meetings review progress, missing information and new needs.
Structuring company information, directing to suitable work areas, preparing targeted contacts and supporting post-meeting follow-up. Final purchasing, eligibility and contract decisions belong to the relevant parties.
06 Participation and preparation file
Information and documents recommended for pre-assessment
Participation process
The expression of interest and company file are submitted to EPA. After pre-assessment, suitable sessions, participation terms, any fees and registration steps are shared with the company. The final programme and access links are provided during coordination.
Publicly available or shareable documents are sufficient at the first stage. Confidential technical drawings, controlled data and trade secrets should be shared only under the necessary authorisation and appropriate confidentiality arrangements.
07 Contact and next step
Let’s define the right work areas for your company together
Preparation for participation in the EPA Round Table Meetings can be started for companies wishing to join European defence industry supply chains, develop international partnerships or explore co-production opportunities.
Corporate access
myepa.app/home myepa.app/presentation
Programme framework
9–10 November 2026 • Brussels and online Hybrid round table sessions • Periodic follow-up meetings throughout the year
Sources and information framework
[1] Council of the EU – SAFE general information: consilium.europa.eu/en/policies/safe/ [2] European Commission – SAFE programme framework [3] European Commission – EU Drone Summit 2026 official event page
Company name and authorised person • Products and fields of activity • Priority cooperation goals • Participating representatives • In-person or online preference
These addresses are for corporate information access. The registration link and final participation conditions for EPA meetings are shared separately within the coordination process. Prepared on 15 October 2026. EPA organisation details are based on current programme planning; final sessions and participants will be notified separately. This file is prepared for general promotion and business development purposes.
We use cookies
Cookies help this site function, measure usage, and support technical department. Manage your cookie preferences anytime. Learn more about our cookie policy.