Following the Russian invasion, the latest grants awarded by the European Defence Fund back technologies to improve the security of Europe. That is in contrast to earlier awards when the emphasis was on expeditionary capabilities

Romanian MEPs on the research and industry committee say the European Defence Fund should allocate grants more evenly across member states

A three-year pilot programme designed to lay the ground for the EU’s first move into funding defence R&D did not fulfil its purpose. A more strategic approach is needed to ensure research is translated into new defence technologies

By head count, SMEs represent 40% of those awarded EDF money. But their share amounts to only 20% of the total funding

Budget drawn up in shadow of the pandemic and before Russia invaded Ukraine does not reflect Europe’s military needs and new security priorities  

Innovation is critical to protect Europe from security threats and to ensure its companies are competitive in the global market. Current funding won’t deliver say MEPs

New “spin-in” calls are part of a broader effort to ensure civilian technologies developed under Horizon Europe can be taken up and applied by European Defence Fund projects

Their Soviet past and proximity to a newly aggressive Russia is motivating companies in the Baltics to grow fast and develop new defence technologies

Calls for applications cover topics such as underwater warfare, advanced radar technologies, adaptive camouflage and defence medical response

To turn things around, the Commission is considering more money for the European Defence Fund, a hub for defence innovation, new financing instruments for defence SMEs and a bigger role for the European Investment Bank