The European Defense Fund (EDF) is a key initiative within the European Union's (EU) security and defense policy. Launched in 2017, the EDF seeks to strengthen cooperation between member states in the field of defense, fund joint research and development projects, and promote the competitiveness of the European defense industry. This fund is part of a broader effort for the EU to achieve greater strategic autonomy, i.e., the ability to act independently in defense and security situations without relying exclusively on external actors such as the United States.
The EDF's mission is to improve the interoperability and cohesion of the armed forces of EU countries by financing collaborative research and development projects. This fund also drives innovation in defense technologies, with the aim of creating a strong and competitive industrial base. In essence, the EDF is designed to address common security challenges and ensure that European forces are prepared to meet emerging threats.
The fund is divided into two main pillars: research and development. For research, up to €2.7 billion has been allocated for 2021-2027, while for development and acquisition of defense capabilities, €5.3 billion is earmarked, with co-financing of up to 100% for certain research projects and 80% for development projects.
EDF 2024 was presented in the framework of the “EDF Info Days 2024”, an event that brought together more than 3,000 participants, both in Brussels and virtually, including representatives of defense industries, small and medium-sized entrepreneurs, as well as public officials and key players in research and development. The objective of this congress was to inform about the opportunities offered by the EDF for funding collaborative defense projects and how to submit proposals.
During the conference, funding calls for 2024 were presented, focusing on the creation of research and development consortia to address strategic defense needs. Participants were also able to participate in networking sessions, allowing companies and research groups to forge alliances and discuss possible collaborations on defense projects.
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