The US tilt away from Europe is now fully underway and European powers now realize the security of the continent is their responsibility. But the mantle of European security is challenging. Threat perception shifts on regional, economic, and cultural outlook; there is a leadership vacuum; and while the combined GDP of Europe is over $19m (nominal), its defence industry remains fragmented and massively inefficient. This presentation will discuss the existential threats to Europe with the intention of drawing out a series of common threads, identify what is needed to address risks, and discuss the geopolitical and industrial decisions necessary to fill the possible capability gaps of a US withdrawal. The presentation will conclude by asserting that Europe’s greatest risk is actually the leadership vacuum created by the US withdrawal.
Michael Formosa is in charge of international business operations of Renaissance Strategic Advisors, an aerospace, defence and security consultancy specialising in assisting clients address their most complex and critical issues.
With 30 years of experience in international business planning and expansion, Michael’s expertise covers M&A industry due diligence, R&D pipeline prioritisation and development, regulatory risk analysis, and market prioritisation and capture. He has led hundreds of consulting engagements on behalf of government departments and companies throughout the value chain, from component manufacturers to prime contractors. Michael advises clients on internationalisation and multidomestic strategies, industrial collaboration, transfer of technology/local participation, and foreign direct (capital) investment.
In addition to speaking regularly at various industry fora, Michael has served as an expert witness in US federal court; provided testimony to the UK House of Commons Defence Select Committee on industrial policy; to the Defence Sub Committee and House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee on foreign ownership in the supply chain, contributed to the Dunne Review on UK prosperity, and comments on defence and security issues for media outlets.
Before joining Renaissance, Michael was director of Jane’s Strategic Advisory Services in London and was responsible for business relationships throughout Europe, the Middle East and Asia/ Pacific. For Jane’s, Michael managed bespoke market forecasting, price modelling, competitive, and commercial due diligence projects. He delivered strategic recommendations to senior- and board-level executives across a range of international aerospace and defence firms.
Michael has an MSc in international affairs with a concentration in social and economic development from the New School for Social Research in New York.
