EDA News

The European Defence Agency (EDA) launched its first-ever European Defence Innovation Operational Experimentation (OPEX) campaign on 28 January 2025. The campaign was launched under the umbrella of EDA’s Hub for EU Defence Innovation (HEDI) and hosted at the Italian Army’s Multifunctional Experimentation Centre (CEPOLISPE) in Montelibretti, Italy. This initiative aims to bridge the gap between technological innovation and operational deployment of future capabilities.  

Managed in close partnership with the Italian Army and supported by the Italian National Armaments Directorate, the OPEX campaign focuses on testing future capabilities in Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and Unmanned Ground Systems (UGS). The principle behind this initiative is to take next-generation technology, which is already at an advanced stage in development, and place it in an operational setting to support the rapid adoption of emerging capabilities that are likely to shape the future of EU defence.  

The new framework provides a unique opportunity for experimentation in a realistic operational environment, allowing those involved to collaboratively test, refine, and adapt emerging technologies under real-world conditions. Through this campaign, EDA helps Member States and industry to bridge what defence specialists refer to as the “valley of death” in development, where promising new technologies fail to transition into defence programs.  

During the campaign’s launch, Nathalie Guichard, EDA’s Director for Research, Technology, and Innovation, said: “We are embarking on a ground-breaking initiative that will shape the future of European defence innovation. For the first time, Europe is providing a collaborative and agile environment for field-testing emerging disruptive technologies." 

Tests in June and July 

Now that it has launched, the OPEX campaign will run across two test locations in Italy between June and July 2025. These varied environments will rigorously assess how proposed autonomous logistics solutions meet military requirements and explore disruptive concepts of operation beyond traditional defence applications.  

The campaign is also supported by an expert working group of 76 UAS and UGS experts from 14 EU Member States, Switzerland, and Ukraine. This working group will provide technical and operational guidance for the development of the OPEX campaign, ensuring it aligns with Europe’s current defence needs while considering possible future operational realities. 

What makes this campaign work is the close collaboration with the Defence Test and Evaluation Base (DTEB), which plays a pivotal role in connecting European test and evaluation centres into a so-called network of excellence. The DTEB strategy further strengthens these efforts by aiming to harmonise test and evaluation procedures, addressing challenges stemming from emerging technology, as well as fostering interoperability across Europe.  

Embedded in EDA’s broader defence innovation framework, this initiative complements activities such as the Strategic Research and Innovation Agendas, the Action Plan on Autonomous Systems, and the Emerging Disruptive Technologies’ Capability-Driven Action Plan.  

Areas to be tested 

• Following a competitive procurement process launched in July 2024, EDA awarded contracts across six specialised categories so that a diverse range of solutions are rigorously field-tested. These are:  
• Low-Cost Attritable UAS – BEYOND VISION (Portugal)  
• Vertical Take-Off and Launch (VTOL) UAS – ALTUS LSA (Greece)  
• Heavy Lift VTOL UAS – SCHIEBEL (Austria)  
• Low-Cost Attritable UGS – ALYSIS (Spain)  
• Medium Wheeled Logistical UGS – PIAP (Poland) 
• Medium Tracked Logistical UGS – ARX ROBOTICS (Germany)  

The OPEX support team is a consortium led by French company EXTENSEE. It will help in the design, execution, and evaluation of the OPEX campaign in collaboration with EDA and the Italian authorities. 

EDA’s broader role 

Founded in 2004, the Agency helps foster defence cooperation across Europe. It serves as the central hub for EU countries aiming to develop their defence capabilities together. EDA’s activities span from harmonising requirements and developing operational capabilities to research, technology, innovation, training, and supporting Common Security and Defence Policy operations. The agency also works closely with the European defence industry to strengthen Europe’s technological and industrial base. 

Senior European Defence Agency (EDA) officials briefed members of the defence industry community on 11 February 2025, ahead of a new European strategy to strengthen the European Union’s defence industrial base.  

The forum, hosted at the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), came as the EU institutions, with input from EDA, prepare a ‘White Paper on the Future of European Defence’, which is expected in mid-March 2025. The EESC, as the voice of organised civil society, ensures that economic and social considerations are integrated into EU policymaking, and fosters dialogue between institutions and stakeholders. 

“The European defence base remains fragmented, characterised by a lack of joint procurement and national preferences for defence spending.  This results in small, localised markets with relatively low production numbers,” EDA Chief Executive Jiří Šedivý said. “It is only by cooperating more that Member States can strengthen the defence technological and industrial base, create economies of scale, and develop the defence capabilities our Member States need.” 

Call for 100-billion-euro budget

The white paper will outline strategies for funding, improving industrial competitiveness, supporting Ukraine, and addressing critical investment needs. Negotiations over the EU's next long-term budget, the EU Multiannual Financial Framework, are also due to start at the end of 2025.  Pietro de Lotto, President of the EESC Consultative Commission on Industrial Change, said: “We need to come together to protect our common security, common values and common future.” De Lotto called for a dedicated €100 billion in the next seven-year MFF and stressed the need for public understanding and support, noting that a strong defence strategy in a democratic society requires citizens to see the European defence industry as a force for peace and security, not conflict. 

Katarzyna Ananicz, the European Council’s chairwoman of the Council’s working party on defence industry, said that the current interpretation of defence investment in the EU fiscal rules governing national budgets was too narrow. Ananicz stresssed that investment should not only include the purchase of military equipment but capital support for arms, ammunition factories, investment in infrastructure used by the armed forces and the construction of shelters. 

In 2024, Member States are projected to have spent €326 billion on defence, equivalent to 1.9% of the EU’s GDP. EDA officials warned that it is still insufficient to meet security threats. Countries must work together to develop the European defence industrial base. “The defence industry is our partner, and we cannot develop military capabilities without industry,” said Baudouin Heuninckx, EDA’s deputy director for industry. 

Obstacles to financing

EDA briefed the EESC on some of the obstacles, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the defence sector. These companies face significant barriers to financing, despite the Union’s efforts to boost military spending, Šedivý told the forum. De Lotto warned that sidelining SMEs would weaken the EU and stressed the need to better integrate them into future defence projects and funding. The Commission’s Fabio Liberti, giving an update on industry support, urged that joint procurement is the best way forward.  

EDA outlined its 18 collaborative opportunities that were identified in its 2024 Coordinated Annual Review on Defence (CARD), the EU’s ‘State of the Union’ on defence. Four of these projects have already won political backing, including initiatives on integrated air and missile defence and electronic warfare. 

EDA’s Federica Valente also briefed the forum on EDA’s Hub for EU Defence Innovation (HEDI). HEDI is helping to identify and address future technological and operational needs of European armed forces, ensuring that they remain at the forefront of innovation and preparedness. EDA explained its revised Memorandum of Understanding with the European Investment Bank, which aims at improving financing access for defence projects. “They have financial knowledge; we have military expertise. This collaboration can help identify projects needing investment,” Šedivý said.

The European Defence Agency (EDA) has launched a new research project to monitor and predict the health of batteries in aircraft, which is known as Prognostic Health Management (PHM). Led by Italy and involving Belgium, Greece, the Netherlands, and Germany, this three-year project aims to innovate aircraft power systems, with a focus on hybrid-electric aircraft and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for defence. The EDA project kicked off on 4 February 2025 and focuses on a type of rechargeable battery used in aircraft called structural Li-Ion/Po batteries.  

Unlike traditional batteries, structural batteries not only store energy but also help support the structure of the aircraft, which can reduce the overall weight. This is especially important for aircraft, as every kilogram saved helps improve fuel efficiency and performance. By developing advanced systems to monitor the health of these batteries, the project aims to ensure they last longer and perform reliably. These systems will help predict how long the batteries and the materials that make up the aircraft can be safely used, reducing the risk of failure and increasing the safety of flights, especially for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) that are used in defence operations. The project is known as BATTAGE, combining BATT from batteries, and AGE, referring to the battery’s lifetime.  

Project objectives: from design to testing 

• Sensor network and battery management system design, with the creation of a multifunctional, advanced battery management system that meets structural battery construction standards. 
• Diagnostic and prognostic algorithm implementation, with the development of algorithms for early anomaly detection, enhancing safety and operational efficiency of aircraft. 
• Experimental validation, with laboratory testing on structural batteries and UAV components under realistic operational conditions to evaluate durability and performance. 
• Scaling PHM systems and extending methodologies from testing to full UAV component-level validation.

These efforts bring together Member States’ expertise and testing facilities, reducing financial burdens and aiming to accelerate innovation. The project seeks to lay the foundation for research applicable to both civil aeronautics and the automotive industry, raising the possibility of a broad application of the technologies developed. Conducted under the framework of the EDA’s CapTech Aerial Systems, BATTAGE reinforces the European Union’s commitment to advancing defence and aeronautical technologies, while promoting collaboration between Member States. BATTAGE meets with European goals in defence and aeronautics to enhance air-domain capabilities across several areas, including: Air combat, supporting armed Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS); Airborne command and control (C2): Multi-Mission/Reconfigurable UAV systems; and Air Transport with tactical cargo UAVs for defence. The project will aim for a Technology Readiness Level of up to five, meaning that PHM technology is safe for environments where it might be potentially deployed. 

A European consortium 

The BATTAGE project brings together a consortium of leading institutions from five European countries: 

• Italy: Politecnico di Milano (POLIMI), National Research Council (CNR) 
• Belgium: Centre de Recherche en Aéronautique (CENAERO) 
• Germany: German Aerospace Center (DLR) 
• Greece: University of Patras (UPATRAS) 
• The Netherlands: Netherlands Aerospace Centre (NLR), Tulip Tech (TULIP) 

  EDA’s broader role 

Founded in 2004, the Agency helps foster defence cooperation across Europe. It serves as the central hub for EU countries aiming to develop their defence capabilities together. EDA’s activities span from harmonising requirements and developing operational capabilities to research, technology, innovation, training, and supporting Common Security and Defence Policy operations. The agency also works closely with the European defence industry to strengthen Europe’s technological and industrial base. 

A German Heron TP drone flew in military- and civilian-controlled airspace between Germany and the Netherlands on 3 February 2025, marking another step towards remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) being allowed to fly safely alongside commercial airlines and other manned aviation. 

The round-trip test flight built on previous work by the European Defence Agency (EDA), which has been supporting its Member States in the safe integration of RPAS into general air traffic (GAT) airspace. It follows a similar milestone flight between France and Spain in December 2021. But this year, the flight took place in upper airspace for the first time.  

EDA initiated the project through a call for tender, which was awarded to a consortium led by the German Aerospace Center (DLR) together with the Netherlands Aerospace Centre (Royal NLR) and the German armed forces. The German air force provided the Heron TP drone for testing and the project also received the support of the German military aviation authority. 

The Heron TP, which with its 26-metre wingspan can fly for more than 24 hours, took off from Schleswig in northern Germany, initially climbing in military-controlled airspace. From there, it was handed over to German air traffic control and EUROCONTROL Maastricht Upper Area Control Centre, before transitioning into Dutch airspace at more than 8,500 metres (28,000 feet) above sea level, a region primarily occupied by commercial aircraft. 

The German Heron TP drone is a joint Israeli-German project developed by Airbus and Israel Aerospace Industries, designed for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR). 

More test flights planned 

One of EDA’s goals, along with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), is to enable the full integration of large RPAS into general air traffic airspace. By testing, evaluating, and refining the procedures, the project is helping to bridge the gap between ‘accommodation’ or ‘mitigation’ measures and full integration. EDA, working closely with EASA and EUROCONTROL, as well as national aviation authorities, is laying the foundation for a more secure and efficient airspace across Europe. 

The German-Dutch mission implemented lessons learned to further refine the procedures to make such cross-border flights more commonplace. With two more test flights planned in the coming weeks, the focus is on demonstrating that mitigation measures developed so far are ‘aircraft agnostic’ — meaning that they work across different RPAS platforms, including civilian drones. The aim is that the full integration of RPAS into shared airspace will soon be possible. Unlike the previous mission between France and Spain, which used a different drone model, February's test helped confirm that integration procedures work across various aircraft, not just a single RPAS design. 

Another objective of the test flights is to trial procedures in the event of a loss of communication between the remote pilot and the aircraft and to operate the drone at its maximum altitude. These flights are planned to take place over the coming weeks.  

EDA’s broader role 

Founded in 2004, the Agency helps foster defence cooperation across Europe. It serves as the central hub for EU countries aiming to develop their defence capabilities together. EDA’s activities span from harmonising requirements and developing operational capabilities to research, technology, innovation, training, and supporting Common Security and Defence Policy operations. The agency also works closely with the European defence industry to strengthen Europe’s technological and industrial base. 

The European Defence Agency (EDA) Defence Innovation Prize for 2024 was awarded at the Agency's annual conference in Brussels. The Prize focused on two critical areas: Critical Maritime Infrastructure Protection, and Cognitive Sensing for Enhanced Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) Systems.

An eye on the seabed

In the first category of Critical Maritime Infrastructure Protection, Greece-based FEAC Engineering was recognised for its system designed to improve the monitoring and protection of maritime infrastructure. FEAC, a Greek company founded in 2014 by brothers Sotiris and Charilaos Kokkinos. It specialises in Digital Twin technology to create digital replicas of physical objects, as well as engineering physics-based simulations and artificial intelligence for predictive analytics. With expertise and an understanding of scientific principles, FEAC delivers engineering and IT solutions, from conceptual design and performance simulation to implementation.

FEAC's proposal focuses on the development and widespread implementation of its proprietary PITHIA Platform, designed to protect critical maritime infrastructure. PITHIA, generates real-time, high-fidelity digital models of assets such as harbour installations, underwater pipelines, offshore wind turbines, and communication cables, integrating various data sources for real-time monitoring. It supports predictive technical maintenance based on both historical and real-time data and addresses other threats, including military-like risks.

This AI-enhanced approach identifies patterns and anomalies, enabling accurate threat responses, enhanced situational awareness, and high operational readiness of maritime assets. Its agility and adaptability by design can significantly strengthen maritime security across the EU. "We try to bridge the gap between the physical and digital worlds," Charilaos Kokkinos told the conference. 

Tracking in 3D

In the second category of Cognitive Sensing for ISTAR Systems, TRAAK, a French company, was recognised for its PIXYS 3D system. TRAAK, established in 2020 by Thomas Duroyon and Pierre-Arnaud Coquelin, specialises in developing geolocation and biometric tracking solutions for challenging and complex environments.

TRAAK’s PIXYS 3D system addresses critical challenges in battlefield navigation, communication, and Blue Force Tracking. With its capability for precise outdoor, indoor, and underground positioning, it offers an operational advantage on modern battlefields and in urban warfare scenarios.

"It has been developed in-house," Duroyon said. "We are completely independent from any technology that exists today. We can be deployed in a few minutes, regardless of the environment."

PIXYS 3D, based on unique, patented European geolocation technology, delivers a sovereign, rapidly deployable solution with metric-level accuracy. This mobile 3D positioning system provides operators with live navigation across indoor and outdoor environments, particularly in urban or underground areas or in settings affected by electronic interference, where traditional geolocation systems such as GNSS prove ineffective. With its customisable, open hardware and firmware architecture, PIXYS 3D is designed to enhance operational awareness and AI-supported decision-making for defence and state security customers.

EDA’s Innovation Prize

The EDA Defence Innovation Prize, first awarded in 2018, includes €30,000 in funding for each winner to advance their innovations. Winners also gain access to the EDA’s network of experts and will present their work to the agency’s Capability Technology Groups (CapTechs), potentially paving the way for broader implementation in European defence initiatives.  EDA RTI Director Nathalie Guichard awarded the prize.

 

The prize forms part of the Hub for EU Defence Innovation (HEDI), established in 2022 to promote collaborative and innovative solutions within the defence sector. HEDI seeks to involve non-traditional defence contributors, such as civil research organisations and start-ups, to ensure European armed forces have real-time access to emerging technologies. 

Shortfalls in European Union military materiel are “colossal,” and the European Union needs a “big bang” approach, Andrius Kubilius, European Commissioner for Defence and Space, told the European Defence Agency’s annual conference. Ukraine’s Minister of Defence Rustem Umerov also told the conference that his country had the capacity to produce more weaponry but faced a financing shortfall in 2025 of around €18 billion. 

"The shortfalls in military materiel, if we compare with the Russian war economy, are colossal. We can no longer afford a fragmented and incremental approach. We need a real, big bang approach to increase defence production and acquisition. We also need a European approach," Commissioner Kubilius said.

General Onno Eichelsheim, The Netherlands' Chief of Defence, told the conference that what was good for Ukraine was good for NATO and good for the European Union. He also called for grouping together Member States' demands when ordering from industry.

Galileo, Europe’s flagship satellite navigation programme, shows what European collective ambition and cooperation can achieve, Kubilius said. Kubilius added: “We need to consolidate our industrial efforts, starting with research and development, and ensure that Europe builds its own production capacity. Galileo has shown us what can be achieved through cooperation. Now we need that same energy in defence.”

In the context of the EU’s approach to defence, this involves creating a unified effort, pooling resources, and prioritising projects such as air defence, cyber shields, and military mobility, he said. Kubilius, who served two terms as Lithuania's prime minister (from 1999 to 2000 and from 2008 to 2012), also paid tribute to the EDA after it celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2024.

Ukraine’s rising armament production, funding gap 

Ukraine’s Umerov, in his speech to the conference via video link, said that Kyiv had become a leader in military manufacturing. He said his country was now the largest manufacturer of military autonomous systems worldwide, with the ability to produce over 4.5 million drones annually.

Between 2023 and 2024, Ukraine’s artillery systems production tripled, while production of armoured personnel carriers increased fivefold, he said. Other key military capabilities have seen similar growth, with ammunition production rising by 2.5 times and the production of anti-tank weapons doubling.

Ukraine has also ramped up its missile production capacity, with plans to produce 3,000 missiles in 2025. According to Umerov, long-range drones developed in response to the war have played a pivotal role in the conflict, destroying more than 300 strategic targets inside Russian territory.

However, more funding is needed to reach Ukraine's military production potential. While the country’s defence industry capacity is set to reach €34 billion by 2025, the available funding stands at only €16 billion, leaving a crucial gap of €18 billion that must be addressed to sustain and enhance production efforts. “We ask you to help us close this existing gap in financing, facilitate the transfer of technology, and set up strategic partnerships with our industry,” Umerov said. 

The European Union must bind its defence industry close together and develop weapons systems collaboratively, the new Head of the European Defence Agency (EDA), High Representative Kaja Kallas, told the 2025 EDA Annual Conference. She also called for the Agency to do more. 

“We need to consolidate our defence industry and develop common weapons systems,” Kallas said. “Our European defence industry could then utilise the same military systems and help Member States’ militaries become more interoperable ... the EU should also work towards establishing a Single Market for Defence.”

Kallas said that the EU does not require a single European armed force but rather 27 militaries capable of working together to deter and defend against any threat, particularly from Russia. Addressing over 400 participants at the Concert Noble in Brussels and more than 800 online attendees, Kallas’ vision reinforced the EDA’s mission as it leads Europe’s response to renewed security challenges.

In her first major policy speech since taking office in December, Kallas warned that the time for papers and declarations had passed. “Russia’s defence industry is churning out tanks, artillery shells, and glide bombs faster than we can match. This is a heavily militarised country, spending over a third of its national budget on the military, three times what it spent before the war. We must be realistic about the scale of this threat,” she said.

Sławomir Wojciechowski, Poland’s Military Representative to NATO and the EU Military Committee, speaking on behalf of Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, said that: “For Europe, Russia's aggressive policy poses a real and direct threats to security. We must remember that Russia's objectives are not limited to Ukraine. A hypothetical victory for Moscow in Ukraine will be equivalent to the disintegration of the existing security architecture.” 

Support to Ukraine and links to U.S., Britain

Kallas noted that the EU has so far provided €134 billion in support to Ukraine, including €50 billion in military aid. Additionally, the EU has trained 75,000 Ukrainian soldiers and imposed sanctions. “The Ukrainians are not just fighting for their freedom; they are defending ours too,” Kallas said. Collaboration with the United States and Britain remains essential, Kallas said, adding that the EU should be open to a new security agreement with London, now that Britain is outside the bloc.

General Brieger, Chairman of the EU Military Committee, told the conference: "For future success, we have to transform three levels in parallel: institutionally at the EU level; nationally, at the level of Member States; and in our mindset, on a personal level. For sure, this has to be coordinated to become, more and more, a real union of defence." 

Both Kallas and EDA Chief Executive Jiří Šedivý, who opened the conference, underlined that NATO remains the cornerstone of Euro-Atlantic security. However, both stressed that the EU must ensure it can act decisively and independently if necessary. The EDA is instrumental in achieving this goal, Šedivý said. He said: “Over the past decade, the amount of projects we manage has grown from around 200 million euros to over one billion euros per year.”  

By fostering defence integration, it helps Member States pool resources, enhance interoperability, and address critical capability gaps in areas such as air defence, long-range missiles, and military mobility. 

“If Europeans don’t get serious about defence, there will be no Europe as we know it left to defend,” Kallas warned. 

The European Defence Agency (EDA) has launched the Small Arms Ammunition Technologies (SAAT) project, a four-year initiative led by Belgian defence company FN Herstal and supported by a diverse European consortium to establish a common standard for small arms ammunition. 

The project, which brings together 18 partners from nine countries — including defence manufacturers, research organisations, and national Ministries of Defence — aims to strengthen interoperability among European armed forces and to also advance ammunition technology. The kick-off meeting, held in mid-December, laid the groundwork for the project’s governance and collaborative framework. 

With a budget of €8.3 million, the SAAT project demonstrates a shared commitment among participating EU Member States — Belgium, Czechia, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, and non-EU members Norway and Switzerland — to address the following objectives: 

• Establish performance criteria for small arms ammunition to counter present and future threats
• Analyse ammunition components such as projectiles, propellants, and cartridge cases
• Develop projectile prototypes
• Advance the design and functionality of key ammunition technologies

By creating a common standard for small arms ammunition, the initiative aims to reduce dependency on external suppliers and ensure a unified European Union response to evolving security threats.

As well as project coordinator FN Herstal, the project’s consortium brings together Beretta, CZUB, Eurenco, Fiocchi Munizioni, Mesko, Nammo, Nobel Sport, and Swiss P Defence. Complementing these companies are research institutions such as Switzerland’s Armasuisse, DGA Techniques Terrestres of France, FFI from Normway, FOI in Sweden, the Royal Military Academy of Belgium, TNO in the Netherlands, and the Military University of Technology in Poland. 

About EDA

EDA supports its 27 Member States in improving their defence capabilities through European cooperation. Acting as an enabler and facilitator for Ministries of Defence willing to engage in collaborative capability projects, the Agency has become the ‘hub’ for European defence cooperation with expertise and networks allowing it to address the whole spectrum of capabilities.

The second phase of a project to develop underwater surveillance technology is now underway, after the European Defence Agency (EDA) launched the ‘Evaluation of State-of-the-Art Thin Line Array Technology II’ (ETLAT II) over two days from 11 December. With Italy as the lead nation and Leonardo as the lead company, nine members from six European Union Member States are part of the three-year, nearly €4 million project, which aims to strengthen the EU's capabilities in maritime defence.

The project, which launched at Leonardo’s premises in Livorno, aims to enhance ‘Thin Line Array’ technologies for underwater surveillance and anti-submarine warfare. Thin Line Array technologies are underwater acoustic measurement devices used in maritime static and low-speed towed surveillance and monitoring.

Building upon the initial ETLAT project (2015–2018), ETLAT II aims to refine and advance prototypes by addressing unresolved technical problems identified in the first phase. The project focuses on improving operational readiness and finding solutions for the Thin Line Array systems. ETLAT II will draw on advanced numerical models, experimental data, and innovative designs.

Technical objectives: from vibration isolation to testing

Vibration Isolation Systems:

Studying vibrations that affect towing systems, as well as designing isolation solutions to mitigate mechanical disturbances and flow-induced noise, to improve the stability and sensitivity of Thin Line Array systems.

Advanced Numerical Modelling:

Enhancing computational models to predict hydrodynamic behaviour, flow noise, and acoustic performance under various operational conditions, including simulations for different towing speeds and angles.

Experimental Evaluation:

Conducting rigorous prototype testing in controlled environments such as towing tanks and the Lake Nemi acoustic test range – a specialised underwater testing facility near Rome – to validate numerical models and optimise system designs using real-world data.

By integrating numerical simulations with experimental evaluations, ETLAT II aims to increase the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of Thin Line Array technologies so that they can be reliably deployed in demanding maritime defence applications.

 Consortium and Collaboration

• Germany: Bundeswehr Technical Centre for Ships and Naval Weapons, Maritime Technology and Research (WTD 71).
• Finland: Finnish Naval Academy (FNA) and Patria Aviation Oy (Patria).
• Italy: Institute of Marine Engineering - National Research Council (INM-CNR) and Leonardo Spa.
• The Netherlands: Dutch Command Materiel and IT Agency (NL-COMMIT) and Maritime Research Institute Netherlands (MARIN).
• Norway: Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (FFI).
• Sweden: Swedish Defence Research Agency (FOI).

  European Defence Agency’s role

The ETLAT II project is conducted within the framework of EDA. Established in 2004, EDA supports Member States in developing collaborative defence capabilities to enhance interoperability and innovation across Europe. By facilitating cooperative initiatives such as ETLAT II, EDA reinforces Europe’s technological edge and maritime security readiness.

The European Defence Agency (EDA), the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA), and the Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR) convened in Brussels for a trilateral meeting aimed at deepening their collaboration in support of European and transatlantic security.

The meeting, hosted by EDA Chief Executive Jiří Šedivý, was a continuation of a first trilateral held in Luxembourg in December 2023. The gathering brought together senior leadership from the three organisations to explore ways to deepen cooperation, enhance efficiency, and capitalise on their complementary strengths.

In light of the challenging security landscape, the three organisations reaffirmed their commitment to a joint effort, engaging in a dynamic exchange on collaboration and synergies, and exploring how their respective roles can better align to meet the rapidly changing demands of member nations. Discussions centered on addressing shared challenges, and identifying strategic opportunities to reinforce their collective impact.

The meeting highlighted the importance of clear messaging when engaging with stakeholders and explore further alignment and opportunities for enhanced cooperation. 

EDA Chief Executive Jiří Šedivý underscored the importance of such trilateral engagements, and the subsequent discussions that will take place at working level with respectively NSPA and OCCAR, stating: “By coming together at this pivotal moment, we worked on identifying synergies that could deliver real results. One example of a successful collaboration is the multinational MRTT fleet, which illustrates how our organisations can work seamlessly across the acquisition, management, and operational phases to support member nations’ capability needs.”

“Although our organisations have distinct mandates and missions, we share a common goal: supporting our member states in navigating a complex and fast-changing security environment,” he added.

“The current security environment demands agility, innovation, and cooperation,” said Stacy Cummings, General Manager of NSPA. “By pooling our resources and leveraging our respective expertise, NSPA, EDA, and OCCAR are paving the way for stronger, more effective collaboration. This meeting reflects our shared vision to build on past successes and tackle emerging challenges together.”

OCCAR-EA Director, Joachim Sucker, echoed these sentiments: “In a world where disconnection often prevails, this meeting exemplifies the power of cooperation. By combining our efforts, we enhance our ability to deliver vital defence capabilities. I deeply appreciate the opportunity to engage trilaterally with Ms Cummings and Mr Šedivý to explore how our unique strengths can complement each other and yield greater outcomes for the nations we all support.”

This trilateral meeting underscored the collective determination of EDA, NSPA, and OCCAR to work more closely together in addressing NATO and Europe’s pressing defence and security challenges. By strengthening their partnership, the three organisations are laying the groundwork for enhanced collaboration and a more robust response to the needs of both NATO and Europe.

 

The Consultation Forum for Sustainable Energy in the Defence and Security Sector (CF SEDSS) has entered its fourth phase (2024-2028), marking a new push in the European Union’s energy and climate objectives to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

On 11 December, the European Defence Agency (EDA) and the European Commission signed the grant agreement in a ceremony at the European Commission Directorate-General for Energy, underscoring the project’s importance in supporting the defence energy transition and the preparedness goals. The CF SEDSS is an EU-funded initiative managed by EDA, comprising Europe’s largest defence energy community. It is now entering its fourth phase, called Phase IV, funded by the LIFE Clean Energy Transition sub-programme.

The global defence sector consumes a significant amount of energy and is estimated to be responsible for up to 5.5% of the world’s total CO2 emissions. The Consultation Forum’s efforts spanning almost a decade have been instrumental in supporting EU Ministries of Defence in developing sustainable, efficient, and resilient energy models in line with the EU’s climate ambitions. Phase IV of the project was officially launched on 1 October 2024.

In the next four years, Phase IV will continue supporting European defence ministries to achieve energy sustainability and meet ambitious climate goals. Building on the EU legal framework and previous project phases, Phase IV will focus on knowledge sharing, collaborative project ideas, studies and policy roadmaps to tackle emerging challenges in energy efficiency, renewables, and energy security within the defence and security sector.

Phase IV will also coordinate the organisation of high-level conferences, thematic workshops and a table-top exercise, with a view to exploring new trends such as digitalisation, electrification, high-density/high power storage, low carbon energy and propulsion systems, smart buildings, artificial intelligence, integrated energy management systems and threats to the critical energy infrastructure.

Nathalie Guichard, EDA’s Director of Research, Technology, and Innovation (RTI), Hans Rhein, Head of Unit LIFE Energy and LIFE Climate, CINEA, and Alejandro Ulzurrun, Acting Director, DG ENER, were present at the signing of the project’s grant agreement.

“The continuation of the forum shows that energy remains a priority for the EU and defence ministries,” Nathalie Guichard said. She highlighted the collaboration between the EDA and the European Commission over nearly a decade. “This is the largest defence energy community, and a unique platform for dialogue which continues addressing the common energy considerations of the defence ministries.” Concluding her address, Guichard said: “Together, we are forging a path towards more energy efficient, sustainable and resilient armed forces.”

Alejandro Ulzurrun, European Commission, DG Energy acting Director for Just Transition, Consumers, Energy Efficiency and Innovation said: “The Consultation Forum is well placed to contribute to the new Commission’s agenda on energy and defence. We count on this Forum to deepen the collaboration between the energy and defence communities to support the energy transition in the defence sector, and, in particular, to identify dual-use solutions to common challenges, from energy efficiency to enhancing the use of renewable energy”.

Hans Rhein, Head of Unit LIFE Energy and LIFE Climate, European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA), said: “We are very pleased to continue our collaboration with the European Defence Agency and build on the results achieved. The Commission has granted close to €10 million to EDA over the past seven years to assist the European defence sector in addressing sustainable energy. The contribution by the defence and security sector is crucial to achieving the decarbonisation of the economy by 2050”.

Background information

• EDEN Phase IV
• Consultation Forum for Sustainable Energy in the Defence and Security Sector IV (CF SEDSS IV)
• EDEN Deliverables Phase III
• EU Defence Industry - European Commission
• Communication on climate and defence
• Safer together: A path towards a fully prepared Union - European Commission
• LIFE Programme

 

 

If you think hybrid technology is just for saving fuel on your morning commute, think again. Europe’s armed forces are making significant strikes in this field, and it’s not just about fuel efficiency.  

Imagine infantry vehicles gliding across the terrain, whisper-quiet, with meanwhile reduced fuel consumption. That is the promise of hybrid military tech. 

Over the past 15 months, the second phase of the Hybrid Drive Train Demonstrator (HybriDT II) project has been seeking to turn this vision into reality. On 26 November, the project successfully concluded with a final meeting at the Dutch Army base in Oirschot. The research focused on both wheeled vehicles, specifically 8×8 and 6×6 Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs), and tracked vehicles. 

Launched under the CapTech Ground Systems framework of the EDA’s Research and Innovation Directorate, HybriDT II, aims to enhance maneuverability, improve energy efficiency, cut fuel consumption, and lower emissions.  
EDA as Hub for EU Defence Cooperation  HybriDT II brought together several Member States, with Germany leading the initiative. Austria, the Netherlands, Poland, and Slovenia also participated. The project was carried out by a consortium of 13 industrial and research entities, including AVL List as the project leader and General Dynamics European Land Systems – Steyr from Austria. Other contributors included Germany’s AVL Schrick, AVL Software and Functions, and the Institute for Chemical Technology Fraunhofer; the Dutch firms DNV, TNO, and VDL; Poland’s Military University of Technology and Huta Stalowa Wola Ironworks; and Slovenia’s AVL Slovenia, Elaphe Propulsion Technology, and the University of Ljubljana. 
What’s next?  HybriDT II’s journey is far from over. The next phase, HybriDT III, will tackle the remaining challenges and further advance hybrid technology for military applications. 
A glimpse into the future  At the final meeting, attendees had a chance to witness the future firsthand. Dutch defence companies showed important advancements in hydrogen-based propulsion systems for heavy-duty vehicles and mobility technologies. 

The European Defence Agency (EDA) has today published its annual Defence Data report for 2023, detailing defence spending from all 27 EU Member States. At a record €279 billion [1], 2023 European defence spending increased by 10% on the previous year, marking the ninth year of consecutive growth. Twenty-two of the Member States increased defence expenditure, with 11 increasing spending by over 10%.

2024 Forecast

Separately, the Coordinated Annual Review on Defence (CARD) report, which provides an overview and analysis of the EU defence landscape for Member States, forecasts the following spending for 2024:

• EU defence spending is projected to reach €326 billion in 2024

• Defence investments are expected to hit a record 31% of total defence expenditure, with research and technology (R&T) spending increasing to €5 billion in 2024
• Procurement spending is seeing sustained growth and could increase beyond €90 billion in 2024

2023 European Defence spending - Key findings

The return of full-scale war to Europe and efforts by Member States to strengthen their military capabilities led to a noticeable jump in defence spending in 2023.      

• A record €72 billion was allocated to defence investments accounting for 26% of total defence expenditure, the largest share recorded by EDA since data collection began in 2005.  This allocation was overwhelmingly directed towards the procurement of new equipment, which increased by 19% on the previous year.

• In 2023, total funding for collaborative research and technology (R&T) projects initiated under the European Defence Fund (EDF), in calls 2021 and 2022, reached approximately €100 million for projects, marking the first year that the EDF had such a significant financial impact on the European defence landscape.

Chief Executive of the European Defence Agency Jiří Šedivý said: “The European Union is making strides in defence investments, spurred by the urgency of the threats we face. Still, a large proportion is spent on off-the-shelf equipment from outside the EU, highlighting the need to fortify the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base. Buying together saves money, while developing assets together makes us more independent.

I welcome rising research spending. But Europe lags behind the United States and China in defence research and technology investment. To secure Europe’s future, we must prioritise innovation and unity."

Commitment to investment 

The allocation of €72 billion of total defence expenditure to defence investment by Member States marks robust growth of 17%.

The agreed benchmark of 20% total expenditure in this area is surpassed for the fifth year running, reaching 26% across the EU. Twenty Member States reached this collectively agreed benchmark, with Luxembourg (59%), Estonia (49%), Finland (45%) and Poland (45%) having the highest allocation of their overall defence expenditure to investment.

Research spending slips 

Despite increased spending dedicated to defence research and technology, Member States are still failing to reach the 2% benchmark of defence expenditure dedicated to R&T activities with two countries accounting for more than 80% of R&T spending at EU level. EU collaborative endeavours such as EDA’s ad hoc frameworks and funding via the EDF can collectively bring the EU closer to achieving the benchmark for defence spending allocated to R&T activities.

European Collaborative Defence R&T by funding source 

Figure 12, page 17 of the report

  BACKGROUND

EDA collects defence data on an annual basis, and has done so since 2006, in line with the Agency’s Ministerial Steering Board Decision of November 2005. The Ministries of Defence of the Agency’s 27 Member States provide the data. EDA acts as its custodian and publishes the aggregated figures in its “Defence data” booklets and on its website. Datasets of MS are available since 2006 on the Defence Data Portal on EDA’s website.

 

[1] Figures are expressed in 2023 constant prices.

On November 19, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius was received at the Agency by Chief Executive Jiří Šedivý and Deputy Chief Executive André Denk. This marked the first bilateral meeting at EDA’s offices between the Agency’s top management and the Minister.  

The Chief Executive briefed Minister Pistorius on EDA’s current work in supporting collaborative defence research and capability development across Europe. He also thanked him for Germany’s strong support and active participation in the Agency’s projects and programmes. The Chief Executive updated the Minister on recent developments within the Agency and the Agency’s involvement in the EU’s military response to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. This includes joint efforts to address defence investment and capability gaps in Europe.

French high-level visit

On November 20, Chief Executive Šedivý and Deputy Chief Executive Denk welcomed France’s Deputy Defence Minister Jean-Louis Thiériot to EDA. 

Both visits follow the recent approval of the 2024 Coordinated Annual Review on Defence (CARD) report on November 19, which identifies actionable collaborative opportunities for Member States to develop critical military capabilities together. 

Defence Ministers approved on 19 November 2024 the 2024 Coordinated Annual Review on Defence (CARD) report — the EU’s ‘State of the Union’ on defence. The review identifies actionable collaborative opportunities for Member States to develop critical military capabilities together. For the first time, the adoption of the report is combined with the signature of letters of intent by Member States in four areas: integrated air and missile defence; electronic warfare; loitering munitions; and a combat surface vessel.

In addition, the European Defence Agency released data showing that Member States’ defence expenditure is set to reach €326 billion, which represents 1.9% of EU GDP in 2024. Compared to 2021, before Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, spending this year is up by more than 30%. 

The 2024 CARD report, produced by the European Defence Agency (EDA) in coordination with the European External Action Service (EEAS) and the EU Military Staff (EUMS), was approved by Ministers of Defence during the EDA Steering Board. 

• The report finds that, despite increased defence spending, national efforts alone are 
  insufficient to allow for EU Member States’ armed forces to adequately prepare for high-intensity warfare. Greater cooperation is needed. EU collaboration must accelerate to align national efforts with agreed objectives, converge with NATO and reduce fragmentation, and strengthen Europe’s security.
• The report urges Member States to address short-term operational needs and long-term priorities at the same time. Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine highlights the need for both advanced technologies and cost-effective capabilities in adequate quantities.
• The report calls on Member States to invest in land, air, and maritime assets in line with the agreed 2023 EU Capability Development Priorities. This includes replenishing stockpiles,  modernising ground and air defence systems, and enhancing interoperability. Investments in strategic enablers such as secure and resilient cyber defence, command-and-control (C2) systems, cyber and space situational awareness, and satellite communications, are equally crucial.
• To strengthen the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base (EDTIB), Member States must reduce reliance on external suppliers, cooperate more closely, and develop secure EU defence supply chains.

Head of the European Defence Agency, High Representative/Vice-President, Josep Borrell said: “The 2024 CARD Report is clear: national efforts, while indispensable, are not enough. The geopolitical landscape makes our cooperation, alongside increased spending, essential to be ready for high-intensity warfare. Member States’ total combined defence expenditure is set to reach 1.9% of EU GDP in 2024.

Additional funding for defence should be spent as efficiently as possible, and using part of it through collaborative European investments on capability needs would help. We have identified concrete collaborative opportunities — and Member States are taking action, as demonstrated by the four Letter of Intents signed by respective defence ministers to take concrete action together in those specific areas.”

 

FOUR COLLABORATIVE OPPORTUNITIES

The CARD process identifies a number of intersections and common ground between Member States’ defence plans, based on which EDA identified collaborative opportunities. For the first time, the adoption of the CARD Report is combined with the signature of political letters of intent by a considerable number of Member States. This new development highlights that Member States are interested to work together on developing these military capabilities. The scope of these letters of intent ranges from short-term joint procurement, through medium-term modernisation and upgrades, to long-term development of future capabilities. These could be implemented through EDA or as Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) projects.

EDA Chief Executive Jiří Šedivý said: “To become a credible security provider, the EU must develop strategic capabilities, including for high-intensity warfare scenarios. The collaborative opportunities will bring national policymakers, planners, and armament experts together to develop relevant military assets. These are in line with NATO priorities. EDA is ready to make these collaborative opportunities a reality.”

 

1. For Integrated Air and Missile Defence (IAMD), at least 18 Member States have declared their intention to collectively fill urgent capability gaps in the short term by procuring counter-unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS), ground-based air defence (GBAD), and ammunition. In the medium term, Member States aim to develop technologies to counter swarms of drones and high-velocity threats. In the long term, they plan to build a robust IAMD architecture.
2. On Electronic Warfare, at least 14 Member States have confirmed their willingness to jointly improve their capabilities through shared procurement of equipment, establishment of data-sharing platforms, and the development of common doctrines, training, exercises, and facilities. In the long term, they will focus on developing future systems, particularly for jamming and counter-jamming
3. Regarding Loitering Munitions, at least 17 Member States share the intention to aggregate their needs in view of procuring these systems together in the short term, and work on their further development over the medium to long term. They will also work on the use of these systems by creating operational concepts and establishing common terminology, as well as conducting joint training, exercises, and testing.
4. For the European Combat Vessel (ECV), at least 7 Member States declared their intention to develop the next generation of vessels using a systems-to-hull approach. They plan to harmonise requirements, develop a business case, and prepare for joint procurement by 2040.

 

THE COLLABORATIVE OPPORTUNITIES EXPLAINED

Integrated Air and Missile Defence (IAMD) is crucial for protecting Europe’s critical infrastructure, urban areas, and military forces from an increasingly complex array of airborne threats, including ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and unmanned aerial systems.

Electronic Warfare plays a critical role in modern conflicts, enabling the disruption of enemy communications and sensors while protecting friendly forces from detection and interference. This can ensure information dominance and safeguard national security.

Loitering Munitions are versatile systems that can hover over target areas and engage whenever necessary, combining intelligence-gathering with precision strikes. Recent military operations have all confirmed the disruptive potential of this capability.

European Combat Vessel (ECV) is the common name to a multipurpose modular surface combat vessel. As it is a large peninsular surrounded almost entirely by sea and with more than 80% of its trade dependent on maritime transport, Europe needs strong capabilities for protecting its waters, while being also able to respond to conflicts abroad.

 

DEFENCE SPENDING TO REACH 1.9% OF EU GDP IN 2024

 

European Defence Agency data shows that EU Member States are closing the gap in 2024 towards the NATO 2% guideline, as Member States’ total combined defence expenditure is set to reach 1.9% of EU GDP.

This is possible thanks to a more than 30% increase in defence spending compared to 2021, with defence spending in 2024 estimated to have reached €326 billion, exceeding earlier projections. In 2024, Member States are also expected to spend more than €100 billion on investment, which goes beyond the agreed target of dedicating 20% of defence, in line with their commitment under the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO).

Additionally, 10 Member States are projected to allocate more than 30% of their total defence expenditure to investments. Investments in researching, developing, and procuring new defence capabilities are expected to rise from around €59 billion in 2021 to €102 billion in 2024

The enduring challenge for the military has been to prepare for potential deployment in future scenarios, equipped with the right capabilities and strategies. This involves envisioning and testing different solutions, while engaging industry, academia, and research centres.

Earlier this year, the European Defence Agency (EDA) launched the Autonomous Systems Community of Interests (ASCI) to do just that. It has attracted over 750 members from across the warfare domains. Building on the EDA Action Plan for Autonomous Systems, the community held its first conference in Brussels from 13 to 14 November 2024.

The aim was not only to delve into the technological challenges and threat landscapes but also to emphasise the need for ethical guidelines and standardisation. The event underscored that integrating autonomous systems into European defence is as challenging as it is essential, highlighting an area where Member States collaboration will be crucial to success. 

“The Autonomous System Community of Interests is a cross-directorate effort at EDA, reflecting the need for diverse and complementary perspectives and know-how” André Denk, EDA’s Deputy Chief Executive, told the conference. “The end goal is to ensure Member States’ armed forces are equipped with highly autonomous, effective, and reliable systems as critical assets on the future battlefield” he said. 

The EDA Action Plan for autonomous systems underpins these efforts. The plan aims to improve the performance of individual unmanned systems, develop and enhance autonomous systems to work together, and enable manned-unmanned teaming across domains. It is important to note that EDA and EU armed forces are not developing fully autonomous lethal systems. 

Ukraine’s experiences in recent conflicts offer insights into the role of autonomous systems in modern warfare. Their contributions show how autonomous systems can enhance operational precision, flexibility, and risk mitigation. ASCI’s mission centres on three key priorities: recognizing autonomy’s indispensable role in defence, establishing ethical and regulatory standards, and enhancing collaboration across Europe. 

“ASCI stands as a collaborative force, linking civilian and military efforts and fostering essential partnerships. ASCI is not just a network; it is a community with a shared purpose” said Nathalie Guichard, EDA’s Research and Technology Director. “The creation of ASCI has never been more essential. Autonomous systems are reshaping defence strategies and our approach to global security challenges.” 

In October, maritime security experts, military leaders, and industry professionals gathered to enhance international cooperation and expertise in defending maritime infrastructure.

The Naval Station of La Algameca, in Cartagena, hosted the first "Harbour Protection Seminar-Exercise" from 7 to 18 October. Organized by the Spanish Navy's Unit of Countermine Measures Divers (UBMCM) in collaboration with the European Defence Agency (EDA), the exercise gathered over 100 experts and professionals from 10 different countries: Spain, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Ukraine, Greece, Estonia, Ireland, Latvia, Romania, and Belgium. The event underscored the importance of international cooperation in safeguarding harbors and critical maritime infrastructures.

The main objective of the seminar was to update participants on the latest technologies, tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs) related to maritime infrastructure protection, with a special focus on the threat of improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

During the first week, presentations were given by experts from renowned institutions, such as the National Geographic Institute and the IED Centre of Excellence in Countermeasures (COE-CIED).

Industry was also present and several companies from the defence sector presented cutting-edge technological innovations in this field.

The most relevant innovations included the Bayonet tracked underwater robot, an aerial drone equipped with a LIDAR with bathymetric sensor, and software for the creation of 2D models from sonar images. A 5G remote device control system was also presented.

The second phase of the seminar consisted of simultaneous practical exercises in various maritime scenarios, including port areas, shallow waters and a simulated gas pipeline. During these exercises, limpet mines and over 100 kg of explosives were used, where teams worked on the identification and neutralisation of mines and explosive ordnance, covering all stages of the explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) and incident management (WIT) process.

The ‘Harbour Protection Seminar-Exercise 2024’ has proven to be an invaluable platform for the improvement of tactics, techniques and procedures (TTP) and interoperability between the various participating Armed Forces. It highlighted the importance of continuous readiness and learning in a constantly evolving technological and threat environment.

 

 

The European Defence Agency (EDA) brought together military experts, researchers, and industry professionals in October to shape the future of testing and evaluation of military capabilities. 

The development of testing and evaluation (T&E) centres for defence systems has been a priority for the EDA since its inception in 2004. Ensuring that testing across the EU follows the same procedures is crucial for interoperability among European forces and for equipment, where interoperability must be established from the ground up.

Over the three days of the conference from 8 October 2024, more than 100 participants from 18 EU Member States, EDA partner countries, EU institutions, and other relevant stakeholders gathered for the Fourth Test and Evaluation Community Days Conference in Linköping, Sweden.

In Linköping, delegates reflected on lessons learned from the war in Ukraine, the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on defence testing capabilities, the influence of big data on decision-making within T&E organisations, and what testing and evaluation may mean for a new generation of experts.

As multidomain operations become a crucial element of modern warfare, understanding the interplay between air, land, maritime, space, and cyber operations is essential for building interoperability. In Sweden, experts shared case studies on international cooperation, illustrating how countries can collaborate to overcome common challenges, such as differing testing requirements and procedures across jurisdictions.

Part of the discussions was the IT platform developed for the European Defence Test and Evaluation Base (DTEB). This platform aims to identify test centres across EU Member States, highlighting available resources and challenges in the domains of land, maritime, air, space, and cyber defence. This initiative could play a pivotal role in addressing gaps in testing and evaluation resources across Europe, leading to more integrated and efficient efforts.

The event was co-organised with the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration, and delegates visited two test centres, one for land in Karlsborg and the other for air in Linköping. 

The European Defence Agency began implementing three new projects, ARMETISS, EC2 and TIRESYAS, that were selected under the European Defence Fund (EDF) 2022 call for proposals.  

The EDF incentivises cooperation and supports the competitiveness of the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base. It aims at providing financial support to defence research and capability development. Following the signature of the Contribution Agreement by the European Commission, EDA is responsible for the indirect management of the projects.

ARMETISS

The project 'smARt Multifunction tExtiles for integrated Soldier Systems' has a duration of 36 months and will receive an EU grant of €20 million. Coordinated by NFM Group (Norway), the consortium encompasses a total of 20 participants from seven countries.

The project will develop smart clothes and equipment for soldiers by using innovative textile technologies with smart functionalities that will enhance soldiers’ protection and improve their performance, as well as their operational capabilities during military operations.  

Find more information about the ARMETISS project and the consortium here. 

EC2

The project 'European Command and Control System' will be a continuation of the European Defence Industrial Development Programme (EDIDP) project ESC2. With an EU grant of roughly €30 million, the project will last 24 months. Led by Indra (Spain), the consortium encompasses 19 participants from 13 countries.  

EC2 will develop a multi-domain command and control solution for the full spectrum of Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) missions and operations. The project will contribute to enhancing the interoperability with all government actors, ensuring a proper level of security to increase the exchange of information. It will centralise all operational capabilities by creating a single access point for command and control (C2).  

Find more information about the EC2 project and the consortium here.  

TIRESYAS

The project 'Technology Innovation for Radar European SYstem ApplicationS' will complement the project ARTURO (Advanced Radar Technologies in eUROpe) that was selected in the EDF 2021 call. The €15 million project will last 36 months. The consortium is led by Leonardo (Italy), bringing together 29 entities from 11 countries.  

TIRESYAS will explore innovative technologies to enhance radar performance and sensors’ resilience, with a view to advancing towards a disruptive multi-function radar system and counteracting challenging emerging threats and hypersonic missiles.  

Find more information about the TIRESYAS project and the consortium here. 

The European Defence Agency (EDA) and the European Investment Bank (EIB) Group have reinforced their partnership to boost financing for Europe’s security and defence capabilities. 

Building on the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in 2018, the updated agreement was signed on 3 October 2024 during an informal meeting of National Armaments Directors at EDA in Brussels.

The enhanced MoU will enable both organisations to identify financing needs for collaborative defence projects involving EU Member States and their defence industries to support capability developments, research, development and innovation (RDI), technology, and infrastructure in the area of security and defence in the EU. It will also better address the financing needs of collaborative defence projects in areas such as RDI, involving EU Member States and their defence industries.

A key feature of the revised agreement is the reinforcement of mechanisms such as the Cooperative Financing Mechanism (CFM), designed to support pan-European defence initiatives with a comprehensive package that includes facilitation, procurement, and funding.

The MoU also promotes greater knowledge-sharing between the EIB, the European Investment Fund (EIF), and EDA, allowing for more robust assessments of market demand and industrial capacities across Member States. Under the new framework, EDA will provide industrial defence advice to the EIB Group, while the EIB will contribute its financial market expertise to support EDA’s objectives.

The right tools

This strengthened collaboration comes at a critical time, as Europe faces increased calls for greater investment in security and defence. The partnership between the EIB Group and EDA aims to provide increased investments to strengthen the EU collective defence capabilities.

EDA Chief Executive Jiří Šedivý said: “European defence spending has been increasing for eight consecutive years and EU Member States are on course to hit collective spending targets. Yet we still need to pull together our resources to finance joint efforts and boost defence capabilities. The updated Memorandum of Understanding with the EIB will give us the right tools to help Member States meet their goals, namely in securing access to financing for Europe’s defence industry."

“The updated Memorandum of Understanding is an important element of our Defence Action Plan, which includes strengthening Europe’s industry through collaborative initiatives,” said EIB Vice-President Robert de Groot. “By partnering with EDA, we leverage the unique expertise of each institution in investing in peace and security across Europe. The EIB Group is implementing its objectives outlined in the Defence Action Plan, and is committed to helping scale up this industry.”

The EIB Group includes the EIF.

“We are committed to continuously adapting our approach to meet the dynamic challenges of the defence sector,” said EIF Chief Executive Marjut Falkstedt. “Our collaboration with EDA will ensure that the EIF is equipped with the expertise necessary to drive impactful initiatives that reinforce our shared goal of enhancing European security.”

Picture: EDA Chief Executive Jiří Šedivý and EIB Vice President Robert de Groot.