The European Commission has allocated 910 million euros ($1.02 billion) under the 2024 European Defence Fund (EDF) to bolster Europe’s defense industry, with successful proposals now selected for implementation.
The funding targets key capability gaps, such as force mobility and drone defense, through innovation and collaboration across European science and industry.
Ukrainian industries have been included in EDF projects for the first time.
In the selected projects, more than 369 million euros ($415 million) has been allocated to 39 research projects, while 539 million euros ($606 million) is dedicated to 23 development projects.
This year, 45 million euros ($50.6 million) has been dedicated to disruptive technologies, such as project METASTEALTH, which is focused on next-generation stealth materials. This includes Ukraine’s Small UAS project, which develops AI-driven aerial systems.
Other projects include the ENGRTII rotorcraft development and EUROSWEEP, a European autonomous minesweeping system.
After selecting the successful proposals, the commission will proceed with grant agreement preparations with the consortia, aiming to finalize agreements by the end of the year.
“The resulting projects will be instrumental in shaping the future of European defense, fostering a collaborative and innovative defense ecosystem, and enhancing the EU’s strategic capabilities over the next few years,” the Commission stated.
‘ReArm Europe’
Europe is making an unprecedented push to strengthen its defense capabilities.
With a 7.3-billion-euro ($8.2 billion) budget for 2021-2027, the EDF aligns with the Commission’s ReArm Europe Plan/Readiness 2030 initiative to enhance “pan-European defense capabilities.”
In March, EU chief Ursula von der Leyen unveiled a five-year plan to mobilize 800 billion euros ($901.6 billion) for Europe’s defense and to support Ukraine following the suspension of aid from the US.
