European Defence Fund 2021-2027

The EDF is implemented through annual work programs structured along 17 thematic and horizontal categories of actions, which have been shaped to remain stable during the Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027. In view of easing coordination between stakeholders, readiness, and predictability over the years, an indicative EDF multiannual perspective has been released. It gives an overview of the main expected outcomes per category of actions for the period 2021-2027. This multiannual perspective may be subject to annual updates.

The EDF categories of actions are:

• Medical response, Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear (CBRN) biotech & Human factors: the European defense industry often integrates civilian solutions into its military offerings. Given the intense competition, especially from US and Asian companies, and its impact on the defense priorities of Member States and Europe, consistent investment at the European level is crucial in this field. Emphasis is placed on the ongoing strategic development of capabilities, particularly in detecting, identifying, and monitoring CBRN threats, along with creating medical countermeasures for CBRN situations;
• Information superiority: this is crucial for every operation, encompassing the entire military decision-making process. This is particularly significant due to increasingly shorter timelines and a growing volume of data to gather and handle. It encompasses various technologies and capabilities, enabling command entities across all levels to make decisions based on appropriate, timely, and precise information, ensuring swift and secure transmission to relevant actors.;
• Sensors: the category includes a wide range of technologies centered on optoelectronic, also known as "optronic," technologies, as well as radar systems. These technologies encompass both active (generating waves to explore the environment) and passive (detecting waves or particles in the environment) systems, incorporating networked sensing systems;
• Cyber: recognized vulnerabilities underscore the significant EU reliance on third countries for cybersecurity and cyber defense technologies, significantly impacting the EU's strategic autonomy. Encouraging collaboration in research and development for cybersecurity and cyber defense, resulting in the advancement of cyber defense technologies and systems, aligns with the EU's ambition to fortify cyber resilience and enhance capabilities;
• Space: space capabilities offer swift, globally accessible services (including within space), delivering continuous and discreet support for situational awareness, aiding decision-making, and the execution of military operations. They also assist in evaluating the outcomes of these operations. Military applications and scenarios necessitate space capabilities to deliver secure, durable, dependable, and high-performance services within an ever-changing threat landscape.;
• Digital transformation: the emergence of digitalization and big data has brought about the actualization of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and autonomous systems, even though we are only at the initial stages of technological advancements in these fields. These innovations significantly alter the execution of defense operations. Consequently, there is a necessity to establish and advance fundamental AI technologies for computer-assisted decision-making, and collaboration between humans and systems, as well as for robotics and autonomous systems within the realm of defense;
• Energy resilience & Environmental transition: the shift toward ecological transition will restructure global geopolitics, influencing economic, trade, and security interests worldwide. It's crucial to acknowledge that global climate and environmental issues serve as substantial catalysts for threats and instabilities. These challenges have the potential to escalate into conflicts, create food insecurity, prompt population displacement, and drive forced migration;
• Materials and Components: The accessibility of crucial materials and components poses a shared challenge among space, defense, and security sectors, as highlighted in the Action Plan on Industry Synergies. Advanced material technologies, semiconductors, and microelectronics are recognized as crucial technologies applicable across various industries. It's imperative to improve the identification of strategic dependencies and analyze measures to mitigate them. This includes assessing the risk of potential compromise or denial of technology use during operations;
• Air Combat: this category involves developing and integrating air combat systems and technologies into comprehensive systems enabling data exchange and sensor networking. This enables operations in increasingly intricate air environments. These capabilities are envisioned to function in the future through a blend of manned and unmanned platforms, potentially integrated into larger joint operational settings, utilizing a collaborative combat approach;
• Air and Missile Defence: it encompasses diverse capabilities aimed at safeguarding EU forces and populations against various aerial threats, ranging from countering Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) to defending against ballistic missiles;
• Ground Combat: this category focuses on major land combat systems, Unmanned Ground Systems (UGS), and indirect fire while ensuring collaborative combat for European land forces;
• Force protection and mobility: it minimizes losses to hostile action at all levels while ensuring security of supply for the forces on the battlefield. Force protection and mobility have a broad range of aspects, which vary from the design parameters of major combat platforms to individual soldier systems;
• Naval Combat: naval power and supremacy at sea is crucial for the European armed forces to fulfill their missions and to defend European citizens and territory as well as to enable power projection in more remote geographical areas. It has also a key role in peace and crisis times to support a credible foreign policy;
• Underwater warfare: European navies consider underwater warfare a vital component of their operational strategies and naval capability enhancement, encompassing seabed warfare activities like safeguarding critical infrastructure. The Strategic Compass emphasizes the necessity to protect crucial maritime infrastructure, including the seabed, by fostering joint operational, capability, and technological solutions;
• Simulation and Training: employing simulations and simulators enhances both individual and collective capabilities through training procedures. Military training involves a diverse array of simulated weaponry, ships, aircraft, and vehicles alongside live training on real equipment, while Modelling & Simulation (M&S) offers a safer, less resource-intensive rehearsal capability across various professions, including the military.
• Disruptive technologies: the EDF regulation mentions that disruptive technologies can be based on concepts or ideas originating from “non-traditional” defence actors. The Fund should allow for sufficient flexibility regarding the consultation of stakeholders and the carrying out of such actions. Two lines of action are considered for the European Defence Fund 2021-2027:
  • Disruptive technologies based on concepts or ideas originating from “non-traditional defence’s state-of-art”, such as Artificial intelligence (AI), big data, the internet of things (IoT), autonomous systems (AS), biotechnologies and quantum technologies;
  • Emerging technologies equally disruptive, contributing to (or complementing) the development of innovative defence systems, such as laser-based or RF-directed energy weapons, over-the-horizon radar applications, adaptive camouflage, or electromagnetic artillery systems.