The consulting firm PwC has prepared for TEDAE, an association to which PMA – Precision Manufacturing Aerospace – belongs, the report ‘Economic and Social Impact of the Defense, Security, Aeronautics and Space Industries’, which was presented in Madrid. According to this report, which includes figures for 2023, these four industries reached a combined turnover of 13.9 billion euros, 15% more than in 2022.
TEDAE industries have experienced a relevant increase in their turnover compared to the previous year. In this sense, the Aeronautics industry is the one that has grown the most, with 9,927 million euros invoiced in 2023, which is 12.9% more than in 2022. The Space sector has reached 1,200 million euros in turnover, which is 12.6% more than in 2022. For its part, Defense and Security had a turnover of 8,042 million euros, 8.9% more than in 2022.
The Defense, Security, Aeronautics and Space sectors have evidenced their strategic role for the Spanish economy due to their capacity to generate wealth, contribute benefits to society and create value in their supply chain, which has a significant impact on other industrial sectors. In 2023, these industries contributed 19,688 million euros to the national GDP, 12% of our country’s industrial GDP. As for the fiscal contribution of the companies that make up TEDAE, the report estimates it at 6,974 million euros, which represents 2.6% of tax revenues in Spain.
These industries generate quality and stable employment. According to figures for 2023, they are responsible for 215,607 jobs, between direct and indirect. Specifically, for each direct job in the TEDAE sectors, another 3 jobs are generated in the economy as a whole.
In addition to their strategic value, these industries make a strong commitment to innovation, which allows Spain to increase its competitiveness and preserve the necessary level of strategic and technological autonomy. In this sense, according to the PwC report, Defense, Security, Aeronautics and Space companies generated a total investment in R&D&I, direct and indirect, of 2,403 million euros in 2023, equivalent to 27% of the total investment of the Spanish Industry.
The high complexity of the products of the Defense, Security, Aeronautics and Space sectors increase the development and growth of our economy and place Spain in a privileged position in the global high-tech market. This is demonstrated by the report, which shows that 59% of the turnover in 2023 corresponds to exports. In relation to the trade surplus, the report mentions that, without the contribution of TEDAE industries to the trade balance, Spain’s deficit would have been 11.7% higher.
The importance of the regional footprint and industrial specialization: Madrid, Andalusia and the Basque Country, the leading regions.
The Defense, Security, Aeronautics and Space industries contributed 19,688 million euros to Spain’s GDP, mainly in regions such as Madrid, Andalusia, the Basque Country, Catalonia and Castile-La Mancha, which accounted for 79% of the total contribution. In Aeronautics, the regions of Madrid, Andalusia and the Basque Country stand out. In Defense and Security, Madrid, Andalusia and Catalonia stand out, but there is also a presence in Galicia, Asturias and Murcia. Finally, Space has a greater presence in Madrid, Catalonia and the Basque Country.
