The president of the State Industrial Holdings Company (SEPI), Belén Gualda, has reiterated that from the public holding company they will do "everything possible" so that the failure of the future European fighter jet (FCAS) project "does not diminish European defense autonomy".
"We understand and hope and, certainly, from SEPI we will do everything possible as a shareholder of Indra and Airbus, which belong or participated in this FCAS project, so that what was proposed does not have any detriment to the autonomy of the European defense industry," she stated during her appearance this Tuesday before the Joint Commission (Congress-Senate) on National Security to report on the latest movements of the Escribano family in Indra.
When asked about Berlin and Paris's decision to cancel the joint development of the future European combat aircraft, a project in which Airbus and Indra participated, Gualda shared "a first very prudent reflection," as she acknowledged that she has not "had time to speak with the company yet," in reference to Indra, which acted as Spain's national industrial coordinator within the program.
"But indeed Spain was supporting this common project," she highlighted, emphasizing that they "will be attentive" to ensure that this decision "does not divide, but rather complements." "But I agree that it might not be good news pending further analysis of the details of what has happened," she expressed.
This failure of the European project has been received negatively on the Stock Exchange, as, in the early stages of this trading day, Indra suffered losses of up to almost 5%.
However, by the middle of the session, around 12:31 PM, the technology and defense company moderated its fall to 0.88%, at 56.4 euros, still being the company that lost the most.