These investments will support the objectives set out in the Defence Readiness Roadmap 2030 and provide critical funding for four major European flagship defense initiatives: the European Drone Defence Initiative, Eastern Flank Watch, European Air Shield, and European Space Shield.
Image: European Comission
Results of the EDF 2025 Calls
The 57 projects selected under the EDF 2025 calls cover a wide range of key sectors, including artificial intelligence (AI), cyber defense, drones, and counter-drone systems. These investments are intended to ensure that the EU remains a leader in advanced defense technologies.
More than 15 projects will support the four European Readiness flagship initiatives. For example, the AETHER project will develop propulsion and thermal management systems for the European Drone Defence Initiative. All of the flagship initiatives will also benefit from cross-cutting projects focused on sensors, digital transformation, or cyber technologies.
The European Union is also deepening cooperation with the Ukrainian defense industry, supported by the EU Defence Innovation Office in Kyiv. This partnership is intended to better integrate Ukraine into the European industrial base. A key initiative is the STRATUS project, which will develop an AI-powered cyber defense system against drone swarms. The project includes a Ukrainian subcontractor, allowing it to draw directly on battlefield experience.
To attract new talent, several projects focused on the mass production of low-cost drone munitions will launch “sub-calls” for startups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). These smaller companies will be able to receive up to 60,000 EUR each to implement new innovations, helping entities without prior defense-sector experience enter the market. Ukrainian entities will also be eligible to apply. The selected projects involve 634 entities from 26 EU member states and Norway, reflecting a strong commitment to European defense cooperation. SMEs play a central role in this round, accounting for more than 38% of participants and receiving more than 21% of the total funding.
Under the calls, 675 million EUR was allocated to 32 capability development initiatives, while 332 million EUR was allocated to 25 research projects.
Following the selection of the successful proposals, the European Commission will now begin preparing grant agreements with the consortia, with the intention of signing the agreements before the end of the year.
The European Defence Fund (EDF) is the EU’s main instrument for supporting cooperation in defense research and development. Its budget for 2021–2027 amounts to 7.3 billion EUR. The fund promotes cooperation among companies of all sizes and research institutions across the EU and Norway. The EDF also drives the transformation and expansion of the EU defense ecosystem, with the European Union Defence Innovation Scheme (EUDIS) at its core. The fifth round of EDF calls attracted a record 410 proposals – 37% more than last year.
Learn more about the #EDF 2025 call results
⬇️ https://t.co/CVSqz0A6BG— Andrius Kubilius (@KubiliusA) April 15, 2026
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