As Europe’s largest aerospace and defence company, Airbus SE is deeply rooted in the continent while simultaneously playing a vital role on the global stage. From a security perspective, the company holds a pivotal position: as Europe’s second-largest defence contractor, Airbus makes a significant contribution to the continent’s defence capabilities. But how secure is Europe, really? Are we technologically sovereign enough? And how does Airbus SE manage to remain economically resilient in turbulent geopolitical times – while others falter?

René Obermann serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors at Airbus SE and is also Managing Director of Warburg Pincus Deutschland GmbH. He brings decades of experience at the intersection of technology, industry and investment – as an entrepreneur, CEO, and board member of leading international companies such as Deutsche Telekom, Ziggo, Allianz, Spotify, Telenor and Hutchison Telecom.

At EEF 2025, René Obermann will share his perspective on Europe’s security landscape and the industries tied to it. He will also offer insights into what it means to lead successfully in a complex environment like that of Airbus SE – navigating political expectations, serving both public and private stakeholders, and shouldering responsibility for Europe’s security.