UASUV 2017 Med Unmanned Vehicles Technology | Page 25

Mrs Sylvia KAINZ-HUBER
Deputy Head of Unit for Defence, Aeronautic and Maritime industries, Industry,
Directorate General Growth for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship & SMEs
European Commission
Sylvia Kainz-Huber is Deputy Head of the defence, aeronautic and maritime industries unit at the
European Commission’s Directorate General for Enterprise and Industry since July 2013. In this capacity,
she deals notably with the defence research aspects including the implementation of the Preparatory
Action on defence research, the Directive on intra-EU transfers of defence related products, the ATT
and firearms.
Before taking up her current responsibilities, Sylvia Kainz-Huber was Deputy Head of the unit
responsible for the European space policy where she focused on issues related to space and security.
Prior to that, she dealt with horizontal aspects of the EU’s industrial policy, the Directorate-General’s
relations to other EU institutions, and SME policy. Her career in the European Commission also included
posts in the Directorate-General for Research and Development where she dealt with SME access to the
EU’s Research Framework Programme.
Before joining the European Commission 1995, Sylvia Kainz-Huber worked with Siemens central
business administration division and as journalist specialising in ICT.
"European Defence Action Plan - Preparatory Action & Research Window"
Measures to support the Commission's defence industrial policy are set out in the 'European Defence
Action Plan' adopted on 30 November 2016 which sets out concrete proposals to support a strong and
innovative European defence industry and defence capability priorities agreed by EU countries. It will do
this by mobilising available EU instruments to ensure that the European defence industrial base is able
to meet Europe's future security needs.
The main measures proposed are: firstly, a European Defence Fund to fund collaborative research
projects and, as a separate element, the joint development of defence capabilities, to be owned by EU
countries, in priority areas. Secondly, supporting SMEs through fostering investments in defence supply
chains. Thirdly ensuring Europe has an open and competitive single market for defence.
These measures are designed to enhance Europe's strategic autonomy and strengthen its ability to act
with partners as well as stimulating jobs, growth and innovation across the EU.