The European Defence Fund (EDF) has reached a new milestone, attracting a record 410 project proposals under its 2025 call for collaborative defence research and development actions. This marks an unprecedented level of interest since the Fund was launched in 2021.
This represents an increase of 38% compared to 2024, demonstrating the growing relevance and attractiveness of the Fund. The €1.065 billion available under the 2025 call has attracted both established industrial actors and emerging innovators eager to collaborate on next-generation defence technologies.
The EDF 2025 calls mark a significant step towards delivering concrete, next-generation defence capabilities for Europe. The proposals received showcase strong industrial engagement and technological maturity across all EDF priorities, with a clear focus on platforms, systems, and technologies that can rapidly translate into operational advantage.
Notable areas of focus include the development of a new generation of military radars and sensors to enhance air defence and counter-drone capabilities. In the digital domain, several projects are exploring advanced human-AI dialogue systems to support intelligence gathering, operational planning, and tactical decision-making. At sea, initiatives are targeting cutting-edge underwater warfare technologies, alongside the creation of a multi-domain naval combat cloud to enable secure data exchange across naval platforms. At the soldier level, next-generation systems are being designed to integrate troops into the digital battlefield while reducing both physical and cognitive load. The EDF 2025 further envisages the deployment of an affordable space-based Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) constellation of small satellites, equipped with a wide range of sensors to deliver real-time intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities.
To stimulate disruptive innovation and attract new market entrants, the EDF 2025 calls include dedicated funding under the European Defence Innovation Scheme (EUDIS), allocating over €336 million to support SMEs and start-ups in developing, prototyping, and testing breakthrough defence technologies.
All submitted proposals will now undergo a rigorous evaluation process, including admissibility and eligibility reviews by the Commission, followed by an evaluation of scientific excellence, award criteria, and ethics screenings conducted with the assistance of independent experts. The results are expected to be announced in April 2026.
For further information on the European Defence Fund and the ongoing evaluation process, visit the dedicated webpage.