Interview with Tillo Vanthuyne, President of the Brussels Aerospace And Defence Group (BAG)
What motivates you to give greater visibility to BAG’s activities?
university can address the technological challenges facing Europe on its own.
And this is precisely the reason why BAG exists: to bring together companies, research centers, universities, and higher education institutions in the Brussels-Capital Region to build a true innovation ecosystem.
Within this dynamic, BAG federates, promotes, and represents all stakeholders based in the Brussels-Capital Region that are active in the aerospace and defence sectors, whether they are research centers, higher education institutions, universities, or industrial companies (start-ups, SMEs, and large companies).
Our objective is for Brussels to be recognized as a European center of excellence in aeronautics, space and defence – Tillo Vanthuyne
Sovereignty is now a major challenge. The geopolitical context has changed profoundly, and Europe is gradually recognizing that security and technological autonomy are closely interconnected. In this context, BAG members play an essential role in strengthening European strategic capabilities.
Another challenge is to preserve and strengthen Brussels’ industrial activities. We see that some companies are leaving the Region, even though Brussels has exceptional assets: internationally renowned research centers, universities, higher education institutions, SMEs, and innovative start-ups. Our role is precisely to create greater synergies between all these stakeholders.
Brussels also benefits from a unique position in Europe. Beyond its industrial ecosystem, the Region is home to the headquarters of NATO, the European Commission, as well as numerous international organizations. Few European metropolitan areas bring together such a concentration of decision-making institutions, internationally renowned research centers, universities, and high-technology companies.
Since its relaunch in 2015, BAG has become an organization that brings together companies, research centers and universities sharing a common ambition: to strengthen innovation and industrial excellence in Brussels – Tillo Vanthuyne
Although defence is playing an increasingly important role today, the different sectors should not be seen as opposing one another, as technologies are becoming increasingly “dual use”. The boundaries between aerospace and defence are gradually disappearing. BAG’s mission is to bring these sectors together within a single ecosystem to accelerate innovation. Universities also play an essential role in this dynamic. Without talent, there is no innovation! It is important that engineering schools and universities train the engineers of tomorrow while remaining closely connected to the needs of industry.
BAG represents its members to regional, federal and European authorities, while creating opportunities for collaboration and innovation – Tillo Vanthuyn
Supporting employment in the Brussels-Capital Region
This dynamic also benefits employment. The aerospace and defence sectors generate highly skilled jobs and contribute to exports. This is one of the reasons why the regional authorities support BAG’s activities and why new members, such as Sopra Steria or Sphere Defence, have recently joined the Group.
BAG also works closely with other Belgian ecosystems such as Agoria-FLAG (Flemish Aerospace Group), VRI (Vlaamse Ruimtevaartindustrie) and GIWAS (Industries Wallonnes Aéronautiques et Spatiales). The objective is not to compete with one another but, on the contrary, to leverage our complementary strengths in support of a common ambition: strengthening Belgium’s position in major European programmes and on the international stage.
BAG highlights the contribution of the sector to the economy, employment, research, and training. In your opinion, are Brussels residents fully aware of the strategic importance of this industry?
I do not think so. Aerospace and defence activities carried out in Brussels remain largely unknown. What strikes me is that Brussels has capabilities that directly contribute to major European programmes. We are not talking about marginal activities: we are talking about strategic technologies developed here, in the Brussels-Capital Region!
To take the example of SABCA, which I know particularly well, the company is the only European player developing and manufacturing thrust vector control systems for all European space launchers. Yet this expertise remains too little known. This is also why we want to raise greater awareness of BAG and its members, to demonstrate that Brussels is also a center of excellence in high technologies.
We also want to send a positive message to young graduates by telling them that it is not necessary to move to the other side of the world to take part in exciting projects. Opportunities exist here, in Brussels, within innovative companies working on ambitious international programmes.
What would be your main ambition for BAG?
I would like BAG to become a reference organization for the aerospace and defence sectors, and for Brussels to be recognized as a center of excellence.
This means having more members, even stronger cooperation with our Belgian and European partners, enhanced international visibility and increased participation of our members in major European programmes.
What is your vision for BAG by 2030?
Throughout my career, I have participated in numerous international programmes involving partners from across Europe. I have always observed that the greatest successes are born from cooperation.
This is the conviction that guides me today as President of BAG: building an ecosystem where companies, researchers, universities, and public authorities work hand in hand to stimulate innovation, strengthen competitiveness and foster sustainable growth for Brussels and Belgium!
Among BAG’s members:
Akkodis – BIRA-IASB (Royal Belgian Institute for Space Aeronomy) – École Polytechnique de Bruxelles (ULB) – H2EB-ISIB (University College) – KMI-IRM (Royal Meteorological Institute) – KSB-ORB (Royal Observatory of Belgium) – NEXAT – Safran – SABCA – Sopra Steria – Sphere Defence.
