Aerospace & Defense Business Development Mission: Belgium & Germany
The Global Business team at the Alabama Department of Commerce, along with Export Alabama, is organizing an international business development mission to Belgium and Germany, September 19 – 26, 2026.
This business development and market exploration mission is designed to help Alabama firms expand their global footprint in these two markets, as well as the wider EU market. This mission will bring together a delegation of companies from targeted sectors, including aerospace, defense, safety, and security. These sectors represent dynamic growth areas where Alabama firms can leverage their expertise and products to forge valuable new partnerships and access emerging business opportunities.
Belgium and Germany represent strategically significant defense export markets for U.S. companies due to their central roles in European security, procurement, and alliance interoperability. Germany, as Europe’s largest economy and a leading NATO military power, is undertaking large-scale defense modernization programs that align closely with U.S. capabilities across aerospace, missile defense, digital systems, and advanced manufacturing. Belgium plays a unique role as a defense and security nexus, hosting key international institutions, including NATO headquarters, that drive demand for interoperable, alliance-certified technologies. Collectively, these markets offer U.S. firms not only direct procurement opportunities, but also durable entry points into broader European and transatlantic defense supply chains.
Through tailored networking sessions and customized business development meetings, this mission will provide Alabama businesses with the tools and insights they need to successfully enter and grow in the Belgian and German markets. Participating firms will have the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of EU market trends and demand; assess the feasibility of doing business in Belgium and Germany; meet with potential distributors, sales representatives, partners, and industry executives who can help drive business into the EU; have access to key government officials, decision-makers, and business leaders in these target markets; and collect market intelligence on local regulations to fine-tune business strategies for the EU market.
The purpose of this mission is to advance U.S. national interests by developing export prospects for Alabama companies and connecting Alabama companies with leaders in Critical and Emerging Technology (CET) sectors in the EU.