European Defence Fund Achieves Record Participation in 2025 Call
Overview of the European Defence Fund
The European Defence Fund (EDF) has recently attained a pivotal milestone by garnering a remarkable 410 project submissions in response to its 2025 call for collaborative defence research and development initiatives. This unprecedented surge in proposals underscores the heightened interest in the Fund since its inception in 2021.
Notable Growth in Project Proposals
This year’s submissions represent a 38% increase compared to 2024, highlighting the Fund’s escalating significance and appeal within the defence sector. With a budget of €1.065 billion allocated for this cycle, the EDF has attracted participation from both established industry leaders and innovative newcomers keen on advancing next-generation defence technologies.
Focus Areas in Defence Innovation
The 2025 call marks a substantial advancement in delivering actionable, state-of-the-art defence capabilities for Europe. The wide array of proposals indicates robust industrial involvement and technological viability across all EDF priorities. Key areas of emphasis include:
- Advanced Military Radars and Sensors: Initiatives aimed at bolstering air defence and counter-drone capabilities.
- Human-AI Dialogue Systems: Projects exploring sophisticated interaction systems to facilitate intelligence collection, operational planning, and tactical decision-making in the digital battlefield.
- Underwater Warfare Technologies: Innovations directed at enhancing naval capabilities, alongside efforts to develop a comprehensive multi-domain naval combat cloud for secure information exchange among maritime platforms.
- Integrated Soldier Systems: Next-generation solutions aimed at seamlessly embedding troops into a digital warfare environment while minimizing physical and cognitive burdens.
- Space-Based ISR Capabilities: Plans for deploying a cost-efficient constellation of small satellites equipped with diverse sensors to deliver real-time intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance.
Encouraging Disruptive Innovation
To foster transformative ideas and attract new entrants to the market, the EDF 2025 includes specific allocations under the European Defence Innovation Scheme (EUDIS). Over €336 million is designated to nurture small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and start-ups in the development, prototyping, and evaluation of breakthrough defence technologies.
Evaluation Process Ahead
All submitted proposals will undergo a meticulous review process. This includes assessments for admissibility and eligibility by the Commission, followed by evaluations focusing on scientific merit, awarding criteria, and ethical considerations, facilitated by independent experts. The outcomes of this evaluation are anticipated to be disclosed in April 2026.
For additional information on the European Defence Fund, including details on the ongoing evaluation process, please visit our dedicated webpage.
