-
- News
- Books
Featured Books
- pcb007 Magazine
Latest Issues
Current IssueVoices of the Industry
We take the pulse of the PCB industry by sharing insights from leading fabricators and suppliers in this month's issue. We've gathered their thoughts on the new U.S. administration, spending, the war in Ukraine, and their most pressing needs. It’s an eye-opening and enlightening look behind the curtain.
The Essential Guide to Surface Finishes
We go back to basics this month with a recount of a little history, and look forward to addressing the many challenges that high density, high frequency, adhesion, SI, and corrosion concerns for harsh environments bring to the fore. We compare and contrast surface finishes by type and application, take a hard look at the many iterations of gold plating, and address palladium as a surface finish.
It's Show Time!
In this month’s issue of PCB007 Magazine we reimagine the possibilities featuring stories all about IPC APEX EXPO 2025—covering what to look forward to, and what you don’t want to miss.
- Articles
- Columns
Search Console
- Links
- Media kit
||| MENU - pcb007 Magazine
European Defence Industry Faces Critical Need for Electronics Made in Europe, According to New Report by IPC
March 18, 2025 | IPCEstimated reading time: 2 minutes

Europe is becoming more reliant on electronics manufactured outside of Europe, potentially leading to vulnerabilities that impact regional security, according to a new report by IPC, the global electronics association together with DECISION Etudes & Conseil. The report, "Securing the Electronics Value Chain: The Blind Spot in the European Union’s Industrial Defence Strategy?" warns that without urgent action to strengthen the European electronics manufacturing ecosystem, the region could be critically vulnerable to supply chain disruptions for important equipment including drones, radar systems and secure communications. The report outlines 13 actionable policy recommendations, including an urgent review of electronics capacity, new financing allocations, increased European defense production, and improved access and scaling opportunities for SMEs.
European defence readiness has never been a greater priority, but key links in the defence industry’s value chain might still leave it critically vulnerable. Electronics are now foundational to the manufacturing across all industries, including defence. They now account for 17% of defence equipment value, up from 10% in 2000, and are projected to reach 25% by 2035-2040. The growing importance of electronics in defence is seen in platform upgrades for fighter jets, military communications, missiles or radar systems. Despite this, Europe’s electronics manufacturing base has shrunk dramatically, with its share of global electronics production down more than 35%, to just 11.6% of global electronics production in 2023.
“Europe’s security and defence readiness will increasingly be determined by our ability to produce critical electronics in Europe, yet that is where we are vulnerable,” said Alison James, Senior Director, European Government Relations, IPC. “Without a resilient electronics supply chain, there is no resilient European defence sector. The defence sector is of immediate strategic importance for Europe to face the new realities of geopolitical shifts. The report calls on the EU to embed electronics at the core of its future defence industrial policies as steps are taken to build out the region’s industrial base”.
The study highlights three high-risk layers of the electronics value chain:
- Advanced packaging: only 8% of global defence-related production occurs in the EU.
- Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs): just 6% of global defence-related PCBs are produced in Europe while the PCB industry is at a critical juncture with a risk of disappearing entirely from the region.
- IC substrates: only 4% of global defence-related production takes place in the EU.
The European Electronics Manufacturing Industry has called for an Electronics Manufacturing Strategy to support a sector crucial to meeting Europe’s industrial and regional security needs. Electronics manufacturing is a horizontal industry enabling not just the defence industry, but innovation and manufacturing across every sector of Europe’s economy. Electronics are essential to secure and reliable defence and aerospace systems, medical technologies, and communications infrastructure. Moreover, electronics are crucial for the digital and green transitions and a necessity for a great majority of products to sustain modern daily life.
Suggested Items
IPC Strengthens Global Leadership Team with Addition of Joe Schneider as Vice President of U.S/Canada
04/25/2025 | IPCIPC, the global electronics association, announces the strategic appointment of Joe Schneider as vice president of U.S./Canada. This newly created executive position underscores the association’s commitment to championing the electronics industry's critical contributions to this region’s innovation and economic growth.
I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
04/25/2025 | Nolan Johnson, I-Connect007I’m highlighting a discussion on the positive potential coming from the recent changes in global trade policy—from IPC’s Government Relations team, and from TTM CEO Tom Edman. In the realm of designers and purchasers realm, there’s news from Screaming Circuits and ASC/Sunstone Circuits to share. Finally, additive manufacturing and the release of CFX 2.0 highlight just some of the news coming to the shop floor as well.
KYZEN Focuses on Aqueous Cleaning and Stencil Cleaning at SMTA Wisconsin
04/24/2025 | KYZEN'KYZEN, the global leader in innovative environmentally responsible cleaning chemistries, will exhibit at the SMTA Wisconsin Expo and Tech Forum, scheduled to take place Tuesday, May 6 at the Crowne Plaza Milwaukee Airport. KYZEN will be on-site to provide attendees with information about aqueous cleaning chemistry AQUANOX A4618 and stencil cleaner KYZEN E5631J.
TRI at SMTA Wisconsin Expo 2025
04/24/2025 | TRITest Research, Inc. (TRI), the leading test and inspection systems provider for the electronics manufacturing industry, will join the SMTA Wisconsin Expo 2025.
Real Time with... IPC APEX EXPO 2025: Empowering IPC North Asia—Leadership and Future Goals
04/24/2025 | Real Time with...IPC APEX EXPONolan Johnson catches up with Sydney Xiao, the IPC North Asia President, who leads a team covering China, Taiwan, Japan, and Korea. IPC's North Asia regions 800 members are focusing on standards, training, and advocacy to enhance quality and profitability. The adoption of IPC standards by Toyota in 2021 highlights this increased regional engagement. IPC prioritizes workforce development, with over 7,000 professionals in certification programs and school partnerships.