EDA News

Today, EDA Chief Executive, Jiří Šedivý, concludes a two-day official visit to Switzerland where he held meetings with high-level officials from Armasuisse - Federal Office for Defence Procurement and the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport and Federal Department of Foreign Affairs. EDA’s cooperation with Switzerland is built on an Administrative Arrangement which recently marked 10 years since its signature. During his visit to Bern, Mr Šedivý discussed avenues of future cooperation and opportunities for expanding current Swiss participation in EDA activities.

Discussions with National Armaments Director, Martin Sonderegger, mainly focused on Swiss participation in 7 of EDA’s Capability & Technology Groups (CapTechs) and the growing cooperation in the cyber domain. Mr Šedivý briefed on the establishment of the Hub for European Defence Innovation (HEDI) and on progress across the EU defence initiatives. Mr Šedivý met Brigadier Werner Epper, Deputy Commander Air Force, to discuss progress on Swiss participation in EDA’s Helicopter Exercise Programme and EDA’s workstreams on Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS).

During a speech to representatives of Swiss industry, Mr Šedivý presented EDA, its mission and introduced the Agency’s sustainable defence activities and opportunities for engagement by industry. The official visit also provided the opportunity to see several aspects of Swiss defence excellence, upon which Swiss contribution to EDA activities are draw from. Mr Šedivý concluded his visit at the Swiss Cyber Defence Campus and the Swiss Drone and Robotics Centre of Armasuisse.

“Switzerland’s participation in EDA through our administrative arrangement is exactly what defence cooperation is about. Over the past 10 years, Switzerland has been able to participate in a range of projects and programmes at EDA not just for the benefit its own defence, but by making a valued contribution to selected EDA activities and projects. In the past decade, the range of joint projects and programmes Switzerland has engaged in has only grown and during my visit to Bern I have encouraged our Swiss colleagues to continue this path and to further grow our partnership, in line with the recent report approved by the Federal Council on the implications of the war in Ukraine”, said EDA Chief Executive, Jiří Šedivý.

“Switzerland has continuously expanded its cooperation with EDA in the recent years. We appreciate the productivity of the common activities with good quality output and the good working ambiance. Close cooperation with the EDA is the right way forward for Switzerland.”, said Martin Sonderegger, National Armaments Director Switzerland.

10 years of cooperation

Ten years ago, on 16 March 2012, the ‘Framework for cooperation between the European Defence Agency and the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport of the Swiss Confederation’ was signed. The so-called Administrative Arrangement (AA, the second of only four AA so far signed by the Agency with non-EU countries, sets the frame for enabling the Swiss Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS) to participate in specific EDA projects and programmes related to research and technology as well as armaments cooperation, in a spirit of mutual benefits and reciprocity. Since then, cooperation between participating EDA Member States and the DDPS has continuously deepened. Initially mainly focused on R&T, Switzerland’s engagement at EDA has progressively expanded also into capability development and training. 

The European Defence Agency’s 8th Helicopter Tactics Instructors Course (HTIC), which ran over seven weeks at Airbase No1 in Sintra (Portugal) and Pápa Air Base in Hungary, was successfully completed.

The course began on 29th of August with a two-week classroom phase, followed by a two-week simulator phase at Airbase No1 in Sintra. After a week of recovery and transfer of aircrafts a three-week deployment to the Pápa Air Base in Hungary where participants engaged in live flying exercises.  Supported by personnel from the Hungarian Defence Forces and Pápa Air Base, the flying phase included a complex operational scenario employing dissimilar formation flying, evasion training against a range of airborne threats, Electronic Warfare (EW) against both ground-based and airborne systems and a variety of additional tasks such as Helicopter Assault, Convoy Escort and Mutual Support. The course was led by the EDA HTIC Chief Instructor Team and participated by Austrian, Czech, German, Hungarian, Portuguese, and Swedish crews flying on four different types of helicopters: UH-60, CH-47, H145M and Mi-171.

The Staff Instructors came from Austria, Germany, The Netherlands, and Sweden, together with some contracted support provided by Inzpire Ltd. Also, fixed wing support was provided by units of the Czech Alca Jets and the Hungarians Gripens, acting mainly as threats during the helicopter training. In addition, EW assets and personnel were provided by Austria and Hungary.

In total, 12 Bronze, 8 Silver and 5 Gold qualifications were awarded ensuring an important contribution to the international cadre of Helicopter Tactics Instructors (HTI).

Background

The Helicopter Tactics Instructors Course (HTIC) is an advanced helicopter training activity aimed at creating helicopter tactics instructors which are enable train nationally standardised tactics procedures to foster interoperability of the European helicopter units, their level of preparation, and to facilitate readiness for future deployments. This is done independently of the type of helicopter used. It is delivered since 2013 in UK and Sweden. From the year 2021, its location changed to Airbase No1 in Sintra (Portugal), where the ground and simulator phase of the course is executed, and to Pápa Air Base (Hungary), where the flying phase is delivered.

HTIC provides aircrew from participating nations with the skills and knowledge to teach advanced tactics to front-line aircrews from within their own national organisations and to assist in delivering the EDA’s Helicopter Exercise Programme (HEP), the Helicopter Tactics Course (HTC) and future HTIC. Successful graduates from the course are awarded a qualification recognised by other Member States.  HTIC development courses run over two years: in the first year, prospective instructors refine their own knowledge of advanced helicopter tactics to the maximum degree. In the second year, when the formal HTI qualification is achieved, the emphasis shifts to develop the participants’ ability to teach those tactics. In turn, Instructors who have demonstrated excellent abilities in delivering the course will be individually selected to come back a third time and teach alongside the existing instructional staff to finally achieve their Gold instructor qualification to become supervising instructors for future HTIC and/or components of the HTIC Chief Instructor Team.

The three main elements of HTIC include Evasion Training, Electronic Warfare, and advanced Operations.  They are initially taught as stand-alone skills before being brought together in a complex, non-permissive environment in the framework of the planning and execution of Composite Air Operations (COMAO).

It should be noted that although the main focus of the course is projected in the helicopter crews, all participants (e.g., jets, EW systems operators, ground troops, supporting personal) also obtain an important training benefit.

 

This October the European Defence Agency launched its new Defence in Space (DiS) Forum. During its first meeting, which was co-facilitated by France and Spain and included representatives from 17 EDA participating Member States, the EU Military Staff and the European External Action Service, defence and space ambitions, needs and initiatives were discussed.  

Based on an assessment of the current situation in space-related activities in the EU, the space planners of the EDA pMS exchanged about the way ahead and first ideas for enhanced cooperation. The participants warmly welcomed this first step in the direction of a stronger, more united, and transversal approach to space and defence. 

The DiS Forum is a result of the first CARD cycle which identified Defence in Space as a focus area in which collaboration was assessed to be most pressing, most needed, and most promising within the EU defence stakeholders. This led to the formal establishment of the DiS Forum by the EDA Steering Board. As a new working body in EDA, the DiS Forum has the aim to develop a European common approach to defence capabilities in space by making best use of all the available defence instruments, to increase collaboration between Member States and develop common defence perspectives on current EU activities including related to the EU civil space programmes. 

 

Ballistic, or bullet proof, armour is used to protect vehicles against different threats. But it also makes them heavier, especially when seeking to protect against more powerful weapons. Taken together, armour and the vehicle structure constitute more than half of vehicle’s weight, requiring more fuel and potentially making it harder to manoeuvre.

In search of a lighter armour, the European Defence Agency (EDA) launched a project on 20 October 2022 to use new advances in metallic materials for ballistic steels.

Known as the Additive Manufacturing of Metallic Auxetic Structures and Materials for Lightweight Armour, (AMALIA), the project aims to enhance the performance of ballistic and blast protections using auxetic structures, which become thicker when stretched or thinner when compressed. Making use of specific alloys developed for ballistic applications, this material can be tailored for the additive manufacturing process.

In response to a violent impact, the auxetic materials have the advantage of being denser in the strike zone and allow a higher energy absorption, offering more protection.

The AMALIA project, costing slightly less than € 5 million, is funded by seven EDA Member States (Italy, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Poland, Romania, Slovenia), led by RINA Consulting - Centro Sviluppo Materiali.

The state-of-the-art structures are still mainly at a theoretical level, involving numerical simulations. Several studies have assessed the positive effect of these structures on energy absorption, suggesting that auxetic structures can be used for protective equipment, including armour for military vehicles. However, due to the manufacturing difficulties of such structures, not many 3D metallic structures have been developed.

Some examples of parts with auxetic structures are made in aluminium, stainless steel and titanium alloys (EBM technology) but are still on a small scale.

 

 

The AMALIA project aims to explore technical issues related to the difficulties of manufacturing such auxetic structures using traditional manufacturing methods. Material development will also have an important role in producing alloys specifically developed for the additive manufacturing process by means of thermodynamic, kinetic and solidification tools.

The materials will be investigated to better understand the response of auxetic materials to static and dynamic impact loading conditions at different strains, an aspect not yet sufficiently explored.

 

 

 

 

The project will rely on extensive simulations, in order to test the ballistic properties of new auxetic structure topologies and fine tune the process parameters for the actual structures production. 

 

 

 

 

 

The properties of the additive manufactured part will be improved through gas atomisation, a process aiming at synthesizing high-quality metal powders with controlled particle sizes.

 

Today, the Defence Joint Procurement Task Force presented its work and interim achievements, and the way forward at a meeting with EU Member States.

Based on the response from Member States, the Task Force presented areas of common interest for possible joint procurement in different equipment categories (i.e., 1. Medical equipment and supply, 2. CBRN individual protection equipment, 3. Anti-tank systems & missiles, 4. Soldier equipment and radios, 5. Ammunition, explosives, mortars and MLRS, 6. Missiles, air defence, MANPADS, bombs, and 7. Small arms).

The Task Force will now engage with the European industry. The Task Force outlined the approach to map and assess the potential supply capacity of the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base to address Member States’ needs. This will allow identifying mismatches between demand and supply, and areas where a ramp-up in production may be required. 

Background

Following the adoption of the Joint Communication on Defence Investment Gaps on 18 May, the EU swiftly set up a Defence Joint Procurement Task Force bringing together the European External Action Service (EEAS), including the EU Military Staff, the European Defence Agency (EDA), and the European Commission, namely the Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space and the Secretariat-General.

The Task Force supports and facilitates the coordination and de-confliction of Member States’ short term joint procurement needs.

Building on the Joint Communication’s Defence Investment Gaps Analysis and the Way Forward and the EDA’s analysis on Scoping of the EU Defence Investment Gaps, the Task Force consulted all Member States and engaged with those most interested to collect and aggregate their most critical and urgent procurement needs, and explore potential interest for future joint procurement projects, including under the future European Defence Industry Reinforcement through common Procurement Act (EDIRPA), submitted by the Commission to the Council and the Parliament. It is now under examination in view of its adoption.

More information:

• Ministers discuss EDA analysis on defence investment gaps
• EU steps up action to strengthen EU defence capabilities, industrial and technological base: towards an EU framework for Joint defence procurement

Around 80 experts from European ministries of defence, EU bodies, industry and academia participated in the first two-day hydrogen thematic workshop of the Consultation Forum for Sustainable Energy in the Defence and Security Sector (CF SEDSS). 

The European Defence Agency organised its first CF SEDSS III thematic workshop on hydrogen on 11-12 October 2022 in Ljubljana, Slovenia, under the auspices of the Slovenian Ministry of Defence. Entitled 'Decarbonising defence through hydrogen solutions', the workshop brought together experts of the CF SEDSS Working Group 2 on Renewable Energy Sources and the Transversal Working Group. The primary scope of the workshop was to explore the opportunities for decarbonising the defence sector using clean hydrogen and fuel cell technologies. It also allowed the participants to become more familiar with the EU strategic context and policy framework on hydrogen.  

In his welcome speech, State Secretary of Slovenia Damir Črnčec shared his perspectives on the importance of hydrogen in supporting the green transition in defence. He provided examples of sustainable mobility projects and the search for alternative fuels in Slovenia, supporting the EU efforts to increase the sustainability of the defence sector. Mr Črnčec stressed that the deployment of hydrogen technologies requires the integration of a wide range of relevant sectors and stakeholders, such as industry and research organisations, highlighting that the participation of the defence sector in these initiatives is a necessity. He concluded by emphasising the role of EDA in identifying and promoting this important topic through activities like CF SEDSS. 

Catharina Sikow-Magny, director of green transition and energy system integration at the European Commission Directorate General for Energy, presented the Commission’s strategy and actions on the development and deployment of renewable and low carbon hydrogen in the future energy system. Ms Sikow-Magny's presentation served as a prelude to a discussion on the role that the defence sector can play in supporting the EU efforts for climate neutrality and improved security of supply by preparing an increased share of renewable and low carbon hydrogen. 

During the two breakout sessions of the workshop, infrastructure and transportation, experts looked more closely into the benefits and challenges of introducing hydrogen in the defence sector, according to the selected topic. In this regard, the workshop provided an opportunity for ministries of defence, supported by the industry and academia, to share ideas and knowledge and generate hydrogen-related project ideas that will be further developed in the CF SEDSS framework, including at the upcoming 5th CF SEDSS Conference, to be held on 30 November-1 December 2022 in Prague, hosted by the Czech Ministry of Defence, under the auspices of the Czech Presidency of the Council of the European Union.  

More information:

• CF SEDSS website
• Green defence - How is the EDA contributing to the energy transition and circular models in defence (europa.eu)
• Consultation Forum concludes first round of defence energy deliverables  (europa.eu)
• 1st Energy Technology Solutions conference and exhibition held (europa.eu)
• New Energy Consultation Forum project to promote low carbon military camps (europa.eu)
• Energy Defence Consultation Forum gains momentum (europa.eu)
• First High-Level Joint Defence and Energy Meeting (europa.eu)
• First Energy Consultation Forum project to receive EU funding

The war in Ukraine is a dramatic reminder that the European Union needs a robust, globally competitive European Defence Technological and Industrial Base (EDTIB) to strengthen its Member States’ defence capacities and support the EU’s role as a security provider. While defence industrial policy remains a Member States’ prerogative, the past few months have seen progress in several EU policy initiatives for increasing joint defence expenditures, reducing EU strategic dependencies, boosting civil-military innovation, and more recently, promoting joint defence procurement. All these initiatives represent a great opportunity to enhance the EDTIB and overcome the national fragmentation that persists in the European defence equipment market. A European Defence Agency study has analysed the latest national defence industrial strategies and policies in EDA participating Member States (pMS) relevant for the development, production, and procurement of defence equipment. The aim was to provide an overview of existing national strategies and policy documents and evaluate how far they take into account the EU defence environment and influence national attitudes toward EU defence cooperation. 

Strategic autonomy and EU defence initiatives: a positive if nuanced outlook  

The study shows a generally positive attitude towards strategic autonomy, even if the concept is sometimes understood differently. That reflects the diverse and nuanced defence industrial interests and policies in each pMS. As the analysis shows, strategic autonomy has mainly influenced defence industrial policies through concrete initiatives such as Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) and the European Defence Fund (EDF).  

The EU defence initiatives undertaken since 2016 enjoy an almost-unanimous support among EDA pMS, although several countries still lack strategies to address them. Interestingly, some countries are set to produce new or renewed defence industrial strategies, taking into account EU-level developments and so bringing change. 

The status of European defence industrial cooperation 

When looking at defence industrial cooperation among EU countries, the study shows how regional cooperative frameworks only play a minimal role in policies and planning. Incentives for cooperation on procurement come from elements other than geography or established diplomatic arrangements. Converging interests in specific industrial sectors, how national DTIBs complement one another, and joint procurement programmes play a bigger and more important role. The landscape of preferred bilateral partners within the EU is quite diversified, as it strongly reflects national demands and characteristics, including the size and feature of domestic industrial bases. PESCO has largely reconfirmed traditional partnerships but, at the same time, the large number of projectsand their inclusive approach broadened the participation and generated mixed partnerships. 

Towards a gradual Europeanisation of supply chains?

According to the analysis, PESCO and the EDF have triggered a certain convergence on a gradual Europeanisation of national supply chains, with an indirectly positive effect on the European defence equipment market. However, the fact that 12 pMS have not yet implemented the 2019 EU regulations on Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) control, despite COVID-19 having epitomised the costs and risks of strategic dependences, raises concerns on the overall resilience of the European defence industrial ecosystem. The gradual Europeanisation of supply chains connects industries and technologies across EU Member States: it links countries protected through FDI control mechanisms with others without similar measures in place, that may present a weak spot for extra-EU interferences. 

Background and contribution to EDA’s work 

The project lasted seven months (December 2021 – July 2022) and was carried out by a consortium led by Istituto Affari Internazionali, and included the Institut de Relations Internationales et Stratégiques, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, and numerous national experts. While the study was partly drafted prior to the Russian aggression against Ukraine, the report was reviewed considering the ongoing war. 

The analysis contributed to EDA’s knowledge and understanding of the different national approaches towards the European defence industry. The study’s outcomes and related recommendations provide useful inputs both to EDA’s work as well as pMS' efforts, by informing ongoing activities, such as the Coordinated Annual Review on Defence (CARD), Permanent Structured Cooperation- PESCO, key strategic activities, and EDA’s industry engagement policy. 

The only dedicated European exercise for the C-27 Spartan military aircraft launches today for two weeks of intensive joint training. Now in its sixth edition, the ‘European Spartan Exercise’ will take place at Bezmer airbase, Bulgaria with four participating nations: Bulgaria, Italy, Lithuania, Romania. The aim of the exercise is to increase interoperability among European countries operating the C-27J Spartan military aircraft.

This edition of the European Spartan Exercise will run from 3-14 October and marks the fifth time Bulgaria has hosted the exercise. Four C-27J’s will participate and around 150 personnel will be involved. The core planning team composed of personnel of participating nations and the EDA already began work on 28 September for final preparations of the exercise. All planning cells include a representative of participating nations, while medical personnel will plan dedicated missions for medical evacuation.

Tactical training

The C-27J Spartan transport aircraft is designed to perform tactical missions in peacekeeping and humanitarian operations, providing direct air transport to the theatre, day and night. The Spartan Exercise is also focused on peacekeeping and humanitarian operations, training C-27J crews to fly low level, tactical navigation in different scenarios. Several airfields in Bulgaria have been chosen for training: at Cheshnegirovo airfield, crews will perform tactical approaches, personnel airdrops and short airfield take-off and landing. Dolna Mitropolia Air Base was chosen to simulate engine running operations, known as EROs for medical evacuations. Some simulated drop zones will challenge crews when planning the missions. Operators from the Bulgarian Joint Special Operation Command will also take part in the exercise.

 

European C-27J community

European Spartan is one of the concrete outcomes of the European Air Transport Fleet (EATF) partnership signed in 2011 by 20 EDA Member States. This annual flying exercise, which is part of the EDA’s dedicated C-27J project that gathers five participating Member States that are C-27J users (the four afore-mentioned countries plus Slovakia), works to identify and develop common projects in the domains of operations, training, logistics, procurement, airworthiness and Single European Sky Air Traffic Management Research (SESAR) to achieve a high level of interoperability and cost-efficient operating and maintenance models.

EDA Chief Executive Jiří Šedivý was in Finland for high-level talks with Defence Minister Antti Kaikkonen and the Commander of the Finnish Defence Forces, General Timo Kivinen. Mr Šedivý also heard from Finnish defence ministry experts on how to foster European cooperation in the Arctic and met representatives from the Finnish defence and aerospace industry. The trip to Helsinki was part of Mr Šedivý’s ‘tour des capitales’, which sees him visiting all the EDA’s Member States.

CE VISITS MULTINATIONAL PROJECTS INVOLVING FINLAND

The discussions with Minister Kaikkonen mainly focused on Finland’s involvement in the EDA’s activities, the war in Ukraine and its impact on EU defence cooperation, spending and joint European procurement, and Finland’s accession to NATO. The minister and the chief executive also discussed the revision of the EU’s defence capability priorities contained in the Capability Development Plan (CDP).

Mr Šedivý met with the Secretary General of the Association of Finnish Defence and Aerospace Industries (AFDA), Tuija Karanko, and representatives of the Finnish defence industry.

Mr Šedivý visited Patria and Millog in Hämeenlinna, where he was shown the multinational projects of the Common Armoured Vehicle System (CAVS), and the European Future Highly Mobile Augmented Armoured Systems 2 (FAMOUS 2), which have received funding at the EU level.

To date, Finland participates in a total of 25 EDA projects and programmes. These include: capability projects on Cyber Ranges; EU Multimodal Transport Hubs; the EU SatCom market, where Finland is the biggest user; the Governmental Satellite Communications Demonstration; the Helicopter Exercise Programme (HEP); Helicopter Training Centre; and the Sharing of Spare parts. It is also involved in 12 research projects currently underway at the EDA, for instance in areas such as the Combat Unmanned Ground System, Laser Detection of Underwater Targets, and Modular Lightweight Minesweeping.

The total value of EDA programmes and projects in which Finland participates, and where a project arrangement has been agreed, stands at some €117 million. Finland also participates in five projects under the Permanent Structured Cooperation mechanism, PESCO. These are: Military Mobility; the Integrated Unmanned Ground System; Cyber Ranges Federation; the European Secure Software defined Radio (ESSOR); and the Timely Warning and Interception with Space-based TheatER surveillance.

“Finland is an active member of EDA and brings a lot of expertise to the Agency’s collaborative projects and programmes. Finland is participating in five PESCO projects, one of which is going to be finalised next year, namely the Integrated Unmanned Ground System project. These are encouraging signals. In the face of massive security challenges, especially now with the war in Ukraine, cooperation remains the most effective way forward for European defence”, Mr Šedivý said.

Minister Kaikkonen stated: “Finland is a security provider. Finland’s strong national defence and resilience have contributed to the security and stability of the region. The EU and its Member States have been compelled to react to the current security situation. The EDA has made valuable contributions to support the Member States. As the minister of defence, I wish to use EDA for turning our plans into military capabilities. The EDA is helping us in developing capabilities in a cost-effective manner.”

If, in the year 2042, different countries and criminal groups provoked an international crisis in an ally of the European Union, what capabilities would the EU need to contain it? If such a crisis escalated into a conflict involving multi-domain operations, cyber attacks, unmanned systems and chemical and biological weapons, what might be the EU’s best capabilities mix?

To help answer those questions, the European Defence Agency organised its second tabletop exercise on future threats in Brussels on 21-22 September, following on from a similar simulation in Helsinki in June.

The EDA brought together about 40 experts and military planners to assess the impact of future threats on military capabilities, supported by a fictional scenario outside the European continent in two decades from now, when digital technology, artificial intelligence and computer networks are likely to develop further and present challenges that the EU must be ready for.

Unlike the Helsinki simulation, which focused on an attack on an EU country, the Brussels tabletop exercise, known as TTX, looked beyond to a geopolitical flashpoint scenario in which the country in question is plunged into full-scale armed conflict and becomes a failed state.

The Helsinki and Brussels tabletop exercises are part of efforts to develop the longer-term aspects of the EU’s Capability Development Plan (CDP). The exercises, which are different from tactical wargames, relied on a simulation involving several states as well as criminal organisations.

With a mix of defence planners, technology and innovation experts, as well as foresight analysts, the Brussels and Helsinki exercises also sought to enhance the integrated approach needed to balance the so-called “capability pull” and the “technology push” aspects of military capability development. As in Helsinki, members of the NATO Allied Command Transformation (ACT) attended as observers.

By discussing the implications of possible future threats, the exercises encompassed land, sea, air, space and cyber, and considered, among other things, the impact of hybrid warfare, the dominance of artificial intelligence-supported systems, conflict in the grey zone between war and peace, and energy concerns affecting all military domains.

Over the course of the two-day simulation in Brussels, which involved adversaries with advanced cyber and space capabilities, the experts and planners sought to learn as much as possible from such a crisis that involved both kinetic and non-kinetic confrontation, preparing for the long-term to consider the full spectrum of military capabilities that might be needed.

The focus was on assessing the long-term capabilities trends and requirements to contribute to the detailed content of the CDP, which is structured by military tasks and time periods, known as the Generic Military Task List (GMTL) and organised in six main capabilities areas.

The look into warfare in 2040 and beyond is part of the CDP’s so-called Strand B. Other strands in the CDP include short- and mid-term analysis, involving lessons from operations, projects and programmes for cooperation, and assessing their impact on capability requirements.

For more information, please click here: 

• Tabletop Exercise to explore future military capabilities
• CDP Factsheet
• Recent launching of CDP revision by participating Member States

 

The Permanent Structured Cooperation, or PESCO, is among the most ambitious EU defence initiatives. Launched in December 2017, it aims to increase defence cooperation among the participating EU Member States to a new level. Twenty-five participating states signed up to 20 more binding commitments to jointly plan, develop and invest in shared capability projects. As PESCO approaches its fifth anniversary, the PESCO Secretariat – the European Defence Agency (EDA), the European External Action Service (EEAS) and the European Union Military Staff (EUMS) – have prepared an annual PESCO Projects Progress Report which highlights the underlying diversity of progress in ongoing projects.

Read the full article on the PESCO website

On 28 June, another major step was taken towards the establishment of the Multinational Helicopter Training Centre (MHTC) at Sintra Airbase in Portugal when the Technical Arrangement (TA), which defines the organisation, missions and responsibilities of the Centre was signed by 14 founding countries: Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Serbia, Slovenia, and Sweden. The signing marks the start of the technical and logistical buildup of the centre which is expected to become a reference for multination military helicopter training.

For an initial period of 15 years, the MHTC will take over the management of EDA’s current three helicopter training programmes: the Helicopter Exercise Programme (HEP), the Helicopter Tactics Course (HTC) programme and the Helicopter Tactics Instructor Course (HTIC) programme, which have been managed by the Agency for almost a decade. Those programmes are not only among the most long-lasting, recognised, and successful ever managed by the Agency, but also highly appreciated and reputed among the rotary wing community.

The MHTC will be built in the same location as the current EDA helicopter training centre, but with a fully renewed infrastructure and permanently manned with a team of 10 international staff, supervised by the MHTC Steering Board. The MHTC is planned to deliver at least 37 weeks of helicopter tactics training per year, including a multinational “Blade” helicopter exercise, a helicopter tactics symposium, and several basic and advance courses with the aim to enhance the tactical knowledge of military helicopter crews, and improve their interoperability levels, facilitating their preparation for international deployments.

Since the launch of the MHTC project in August 2019, EDA has played an active role in coordinating the harmonisation of the different agreements which form the legal, operational, and financial basis of the MHTC and its working processes. From now on, and until the MHTC Initial Operational Capability (IOC) is reached by the end of 2023, EDA will progressively transfer this role to Portugal, as the MHTC host nation, which will take over the activities under the supervision of the MHTC Steering Board, and with the support of EDA.

Among the main upcoming tasks in the process of setting up the MHTC are the buildup of the infrastructure in Sintra and the establishment of a contract with a service provider for the provision of a training simulator and instructor capacities to support the Centre’s activities.

More information:

• MHTC factsheet
• EDA's Helicopter Initiatives
• Multinational Helicopter Training Centre (MHTC) sets course for Sintra
• New EDA helicopter training simulator inaugurated

EDA Chief Executive Jiří Šedivý was in the Netherlands today for high-level talks with Defence Minister Kajsa Ollongren, Chief of Defence (CHOD) General Onno Eichelsheim, National Armaments Director (and current Chair of EDA’s Steering Board in NAD composition) Vice Admiral Arie Jan de Waard, as well as other high-level decision makers at the Ministry of Defence. He also met with industry representatives. The trip to The Hague was part of Mr Šedivý’s ‘tour des capitales’ that sees him visiting all EDA Member States.

The discussions with Minister Ollongren mainly focused on the Netherland’s strong involvement in EDA’s current activities the war in Ukraine and its potential impact on EU defence cooperation and spending, future defence investment programmes and cooperation opportunities (including joint procurement and acquisition) to mitigate the current defence gaps. EDA’s role in the implementation of the Strategic Compass as well as the initial phase of the new Hub for European Defence Innovation (HEDI) within EDA, were also discussed. 

To date, the Netherlands participates in a total of 63 EDA projects and programmes of which 19 are even led by the country. The latter include crucial cooperation domains such as the EU Multimodal Transport Hub Network, the Sharing of Spare Parts (SoSP), the Joint Deployable Exploitation and Analysis Laboratory (JDEAL) or the planning and organisation of future ‘Bison Counter’ exercises in the countering of Improvised Explosive Devices (C-IED) domain. The total value of EDA programmes and projects in which the Netherlands is involved and where a project arrangement has been agreed currently stands at roughly €138 million. The Netherlands also participates in 12 PESCO projects, one of which is led by it (Military Mobility). 

“I am grateful to the Netherlands for being a driving force behind European defence cooperation in general, and EDA’s activities in particular. For proof, it is the third most active EDA Member State when it comes to participation in Agency projects and programmes. More than that: crucial work strands to collaboratively develop new defence enablers and capabilities - such as the PESCO project on Military Mobility, EDA’s Sharing of Spare Parts project or joint European efforts to counter Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) - are led by the Netherlands which is also the host of important cooperation facilities, such as the Multinational Multirole Tanker and Transport Fleet (MMF) and the European Air Transport Command (EATC) in Eindhoven, or the Joint Deployable Exploitation and Analysis Laboratory (JDEAL) in Soesterberg. I can only thank the Dutch authorities for their strong commitment to EDA’s work and European defence, and encourage them to pursue on this path”, Mr Šedivý commented.

 

FIRE BLADE 2022 (FB22), the 16th Blade exercise performed under the frame of EDA’s Helicopter Exercise Programme (HEP), was hosted at Pápa Airbase, Hungary, from 7-24 June 2022. The exercise, which marked the 10th anniversary of the creation of the Agency’s HEP, achieved all expected national and multinational objectives, including the preparation of aircrews and units for the challenges of modern military operations.  

The main objective of FB22 was to improve European interoperability and prepare participating Member States’ helicopter crews for joint and combined military operations in complex and congested environments. For this purpose, 8 Composite Air Operations (COMAO) missions were carried out in a realistic, harsh, and complex environment that included live firing at shooting ranges and employing all available assets. 

Furthermore, the participants performed other national and multinational training activities, which included Air Assaults, Special Operation Forces (SOF) training (fast rope and abseiling techniques), Special Patrol Insertion/Extraction (SPIE) training, pick-up and drop off procedures, air-to-surface live firing (helicopter door gunnery and sniper training), combat service support, close air support, convoy/helicopter escorts, reconnaissance and surveillance, combat search and rescue, personnel recovery, medical evacuation and casualty evacuation. In addition, the participants had the opportunity to carry out evasion training against air and ground threats. 

Altogether, the exercise accounted for 730 sorties, 425 flight hours and the shooting of 15.700 rounds of ammunition. 

This exercise involved a total of 25 air assets from Austria (3x OH-58, 2x AB-212 and 3x PC-7), Belgium (3x A-109 and 2x NH-90), Slovakia (1x UH-60), Slovenia (1x AS-532) and Hungary with (5x H145M, 2x Mi-24, 1x Mi-17, 2x JAS-39) and around 1,000 military personnel. Hungary, as the host nation, provided ground troops which were involved in the planning process and performed their own training using the support of the air assets. In addition, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, France, Greece, Italy and Switzerland sent observers.  

A multinational Joint Tactical Air Controller (JTAC) team and Electronic Warfare (EW) emulator systems from Austria and Slovenia were also involved. Furthermore, the European Air Group (EAG) successfully delivered a Forward Arming Refuelling Point (FARP) Force Integration Training. 

Additionally, an international Mentor Team involving Helicopter Tactics Instructors (HTI) from Austria, the Netherlands and Sweden, provided expertise, standardisation and mentoring during the planning and execution of all COMAO missions.  

A Distinguished Visitors Day was organized on the 21June, with the participation of military and civilian authorities from the participating countries. It was also an opportunity for media to witness a COMAO mission demonstration, showcasing the capabilities of the assets involved and the outcome of a well-prepared mission. This event was highly appreciated by all the participants, which included several Hungarian and international journalists. 

During the closing ceremony, EDA Project Officer Rotary Wing, José Pablo Romera, highlighted the importance of EDA helicopter training activities, and in particular the “Blade” exercises, to improve the European helicopter capabilities to support building a more capable and stronger Europe. He also thanked the Hungarian Defence Forces, including Pápa Airbase, the Hungarian Exercise Control team, and combat and support elements, for the outstanding organisation and execution of the exercise and to all the participants for their proactive involvement and cooperative mindset which resulted in the achievement of the expected training objectives.  

The next EDA helicopter exercise, the Hot Blade 2023, will take place from 7th to 23rd of June 2023 and will be hosted by Portugal, in Beja Air Base No. 11. 

Background 

Since 2009, 16 Blade exercises have been performed in 8 different European countries (France, Spain, Italy, Belgium, Finland, Hungary, Czech Republic and Portugal). In addition, 12 helicopter tactics symposiums, 74 Helicopter Tactics Courses, 7 Helicopter Tactics Instructors Courses and several other training activities, as Composite Air Operations (COMAO) planning courses and Electronic Warfare (EW) courses have been carried out under EDA management and involved 15 EDA Member States. 

The outcome is a high level of operational interoperability and helicopter cooperation among a large number of EDA MS, and the increase of readiness of European helicopter units to operate together anywhere in the world. Those activities are part of three long lasting, mature and dynamic programmes (HEP, HTC and HTIC) which will be transferred to the future Multinational Helicopter Training Centre (MHTC) starting by end of 2023. 

On 30 May 2022, the European Medical Command, a Germany-led PESCO project launched in March 2018, reached Full Operational Capability (FOC). Supported by 18 countries, it will benefit the EU and NATO with an enduring medical capability to increase medical operational readiness and interoperability for future joint and combined operations.

Read full news on the PESCO website

The first Energy Technology Solutions (ETS) conference and exhibition were organised last week by EDA, hosted in Bordeaux by the French Ministry of Armed Forces and the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA).  

 

Both events, the conference and the exhibition, were held in the framework of the Consultation Forum for Sustainable Energy in the Defence and Security Sector (CF SEDSS III) the plenary conference of which also took place this week in Bordeaux (Consultation Forum concludes first round of defence energy deliverables (europa.eu). 

Entitled “Strategic autonomy in the defence energy sector”, the first ETS conference allowed the CF SEDSS community to engage with the industry, academia, and other research and technology organisations to discuss ideas on how to make defence more energy-efficient and robust. The event was opened by Jean-François Ripoche, EDA Director of Research, Technology and Innovation, and Hélène Burlet (CEA). Christophe Poinssot, General Director of the French Geological Survey (BRGM), delivered the keynote speech.  

 

In his address, Mr Ripoche noted in particular that the Agency had already been engaged in collaborative innovation for many years and recently established a Hub for EU Defence Innovation (HEDI), which will act as a platform to stimulate, facilitate and support collaboration on defence innovation, including energy foresight. 

  

 

Ms Hélène Burlet, in her welcome speech, underlined the potential of synergies in research to address the key challenges of the energy transition, both for civil and military applications.  

  

In his keynote speech, Mr Poinssot underlined the increasing need in strategic materials for feeding the energy and numeric transitions and the complexity of the minerals value chains. A national "observatory" dedicated to strategic mineral resources is under development in BRGM (OFREMI) to better know the global mineral value chains and assess/mitigate the potential risk.  

 

The ETS exhibition featured several stands where companies showcased innovative sustainable energy technologies, services and products suitable for the defence sector.  Custom-made photovoltaic solar panels, modular and scalable green hydrogen generators for decentralised energy generation for multiple purposes, electric and hybrid transmission technologies, virtual platforms for the management of defence energy data, energy-efficient and resilient military camps, electricity storage, micro-grids, hybrid and hydrogen solutions for mobility, wind powers and arctic solutions and radar interference mitigation measures were among the applications presented.

Next CF SEDSS III conference in December 

 The 5th CF SEDSS III Conference is scheduled to take place in Prague, Czech Republic, on 30 November and 1 December 2022 under the auspices of the Czech Presidency of the Council of the EU and hosted by the Czech Ministry of Defence.

More information:

• CF SEDSS website 

• Consultation Forum concludes first round of defence energy deliverables (europa.eu) 

• New Energy Consultation Forum project to promote low carbon military camps (europa.eu) 

• Energy Defence Consultation Forum gains momentum (europa.eu) 

• First High-Level Joint Defence and Energy Meeting (europa.eu)  

• Energy Defence Consultation Forum gains momentum (europa.eu)  

• First Energy Consultation Forum project to receive EU funding 

The new European Defence Matters magazine (N°23) is now available, with a special focus on the EU’s Strategic Compass approved in March. The magazine features exclusive articles by the Head of EDA, HR/VP Josep Borrell, the French Chief of Defence, General Thierry Burkhard, and the new Chairman of the EU’s Military Committee (EUMC), General Robert Brieger. Our bi-annual publication also puts a spotlight on two EDA projects offering pragmatic solutions for specific problems faced by our Armed Forces: the sharing of spare parts and the organisation of collaborative Personnel Recovery training.

You can read the new magazine in PDF or in a slightly shorter digital (webzine) format.

In the cover story, the Head of our Agency, Josep Borrell, lays out why the Strategic Compass is essential for the EU’s security and defence ambitions, notably in times of instability and war, and how its implementation will boost defence cooperation and strengthen Europe’s military clout. We also analyse the Compass’ proposed measures and guidelines, before giving the floor to the French Chief of Defence, General Thierry Burkhard, and General Brieger (EUMC Chairman), to comment on the operational aspects. The academic views of Dr Jana Puglierin (senior policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations) round off this cover story.  

This magazine has even more on offer, though. We sat down for interviews with the Director of the Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR), Matteo Bisceglia, and the CEO of Finnish defence company Patria, Esa Rautalinko. Articles on the European Medical Command, a PESCO project which reached full operational capacity, as well as on EDA’s Sharing of Spare Parts (SoSP) and Tactical Personnel Recovery Mission Simulator (TPRMS) projects also provide for an interesting read.

Have a look immediately – and enjoy!

More information:

• EDM Magazine Nr.23 (PDF)
• Digital (webzine) version of EDM Magazine Nr.23

 

More than 150 experts from 26 European countries and different institutions and organisations participate in the 4th  Conference of the third phase of the Consultation Forum for Sustainable Energy in the Defence and Security Sector (CF SEDSS III) which opened today. 

EDA is organising the 4th CF SEDSS III conference (29/ 30 June) under the auspices of the French EU Presidency and hosted by the Ministry of Armed Forces of France (FR MoD) and the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA). For the first time since the project's inception in 2015, the plenary conference is combined with an Energy Technology Solutions (ETS) Conference on 1 July 2022 and an onsite exhibition on 30 June and 1 July.

The two-day CF SEDSS plenary conference takes place at a very challenging geopolitical moment, with energy prices skyrocketing and many countries reconsidering their energy supplies and routes as a result of the Russian war in Ukraine. Consequently, the conference presents an opportunity for participants to finalise the first cycle of the project deliverables and explore new areas for strengthening the defence energy resilience and autonomy. The conference will also present an update on the European Commission’s 'Fit for 55’ package and the state of implementing of the EU's Climate Change and Defence Roadmap concerning the CF SEDSS associated work strands. During the separate working group sessions, delegates will share their expertise and insights on the group's work plan and support the development of the key deliverables.

In his opening speech, delivered via video message, EDA Chief Executive Jiří Šedivý emphasised that "now more than ever, the EU needs to fast track the green transition to avoid being held energy hostage. Similarly, in the spirit of the Versailles declaration and the REPowerEU Plan, the EU needs to increase its energy security by improving energy efficiency, diversifying its energy supplies and substituting fossil fuels by renewables". Despite this political momentum, "the green transition will only be successful if we bring fully on board the defence sector, which is an energy-intensive and large consumer of fossil fuel", he said. This becomes increasingly imperative as EU member states agreed in the Strategic Compass to develop national strategies to prepare the armed forces for climate change. Mr Šedivý expressed his satisfaction with the outstanding result of the Forum's first cycle of deliverables, including more than fifteen project ideas on defence energy-related projects, analyses of six research areas in sustainable energy and initial contributions to the Guidance Document on Sustainable Energy. He also commended the Forum’s substantial input to the EU's Climate Change and Defence Roadmap and reiterated the Agency's commitment to support the Ministries of Defence in advancing sustainable and circular energy models via EDA's key channels, namely the Energy Consultation Forum, the Energy and Environment Capability Technology Group and the Incubation Forum for Circular Economy in European Defence.

In his keynote address, General Francois-Alain Serre, general officer for sustainable development at the Joint Staff of the French Ministry of Defence, expressed his appreciation  for hosting this conference under the auspices of the French EU Presidency. He said the event offered an opportunity to "focus on EU sovereignty and strategic autonomy in two extremely vital sectors: energy and defence." Consequently, several topics will be addressed, including energy efficiency and building performance, renewable energy sources, resilience of defence-related critical energy infrastructure, and innovative energy technologies. He stressed that "energy and climate security are fields with a high potential for cooperation, both at the European and international levels, and that the Consultation Forum plays a major role in fostering this collaboration".

Next Conference in 2022 

The 5th CF SEDSS III Conference is scheduled to take place in Prague, Czech Republic, on 30 November and 1 December 2022 under the auspices of the upcoming Czech EU Presidency.

About the CF SEDSS 

The Consultation Forum for Sustainable Energy in the Defence and Security Sector (CF SEDSS) is a European Commission funded initiative managed by the EDA. This Forum was established with the primary goal to create a defence energy-related community to share information, knowledge and best practices on improving energy management, increasing energy efficiency and buildings performance, utilising renewable energy sources in the defence sector and enhancing the resilience of defence-related critical energy infrastructure. To address these objectives, and with the support of the European Commission, EDA has implemented two phases: the first phase took place from October 2015 to October 2017 and the second one from October 2017 to August 2019. Building on the successful outcome of these two phases and to address emerging and future challenges in the field of energy, EDA and the European Commission launched on 1 October 2019 the third phase, which will run over a period of four ears until 30 September 2023. CF SEDSS phase III is funded by the European Union's (EU) horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the grant agreement No. 882171.

More information: 

• CF SEDSS website 

• New Energy Consultation Forum project to promote low carbon military camps (europa.eu) 

• Energy Defence Consultation Forum gains momentum (europa.eu) 

• First High-Level Joint Defence and Energy Meeting (europa.eu)  

• Energy Defence Consultation Forum gains momentum (europa.eu)  

• First Energy Consultation Forum project to receive EU funding 

EDA has launched a second call for papers from defence industry, academia and research institutes on the topic of Integration of military air capabilities in a changing context of the civil aviation sector in the framework of EDA’s upcoming Single European Sky Workshops.

The purpose of the workshop is to provide industry with a deeper insight into the Strategic Context Case (SCC) 10 (Integration of military air capabilities in a changing aviation sector) and develop a common understanding by gathering industry proposals on new R&D and validation activities needed within the Single European Sky (SES) domain.

This call for papers is part of a broader approach to SCC 10, and aims to initiate and consolidate cooperative projects in this particular domain: The ability to protect confidentiality of mission critical information and ensure a resilient and robust data sharing network in the changing context of the civil aviation sector.

The responses to this call for papers will drive the maturation of potential project proposals during the second formal workshop which will take place at EDA on 12 September 2022*.

• Detailed information can be requested by email to “ise (a) eda.europa.eu”
• Deadline for submissions is 31st  August 2022.

Submissions are sought from a wide range of industries involved in ATM (Air Traffic Management)/SESAR (Single European Sky ATM Research). Though responses to all questions in this call for papers are encouraged, submitters may develop answers to specific questions in greater detail based on their area of expertise.

Submissions will be judged on their innovativeness and relevance as well as ability to stimulate discussion on future ATM/SES in a military context. Participation in this call for papers is open to companies of any size as well as academic, research institutes and associations or groupings of industrial suppliers.

*The workshop will be subject to any recommendations put in place in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Please check the EDA website for any updates.

 

As part of the upcoming revision of the EU’s Maritime Security Strategy (EUMSS, adopted in 2014) and its action plan (2018), the European Commission, together with the European External Action Service and the European Defence Agency, have just launched a public consultation to gather ideas, suggestions and proposals from maritime security experts and the general public on how to further improve the EU’s policy in this important domain. The review will also have a ‘security and defence’ focus since one of the objectives is to align the EUMSS with the recently adopted EU Strategic Compass for Security and Defence.

 

To that end, a dedicated e-survey has just been launched to obtain the opinions of the general public, including experts in maritime security, academia and research, international bodies and organisations, on the challenges and possible responses to them. The link will be open until 8 September 2022. People or organisations interested in participating in the consultation will be asked to register. The questionnaire is available in all 24 EU languages, and replies may also be given in any of those languages. A factual summary report will be published on the consultation page 8 weeks after the public consultation is closed. Member States are being consulted through the Council Working Party and through the Member States Expert Group on maritime security and surveillance.

Background

A safe and secure maritime space is a prerequisite for preserving the EU’s freedom of navigation, external border control and the supply of essential materials. It is also crucial for protecting economic activities and citizens, both at sea and on shore. The EUMSS and its revised action plan are the framework in which the EU addresses current and future internal and external maritime security challenges. Capability development and defence research & innovation are identified in the EUMSS as important aspects to strengthen maritime security, both at national level and through collaborative projects, including at the European Defence Agency.

As requested by the European Council in June 2021, the EUMSS and the action plan - even though remaining valid - will now have to be aligned with other EU policies and instruments, including the Strategic Compass, to even better address the increasing maritime security challenges Europe is facing.

More information:

• Update of the EU maritime security strategy and its action plan