Publication Date: April 15, 2026 | Original Link: https://www.eunews.it/en/2026/04/15/defense-commission-announces-1-07-billion-euro-investment-with-a-focus-on-drones-ai-and-anti-missile-systems/
BRUSSELS — On April 15, 2026, local time, the European Commission issued an official announcement declaring a €1.07 billion investment through the European Defence Fund (EDF) to fund 57 new defense projects, continuously advancing multinational integration and capability enhancement across the EU defense sector and enabling cross-border defense coordination.
The European Defence Fund is the EU’s core financial instrument supporting collaboration among industrial enterprises and research institutions in the military domain. Its total budget for the seven-year period 2021–2027 amounts to €7.3 billion. This €1.07 billion investment plan represents the final implementation roadmap released by the European Commission following its evaluation of the 2025 EDF proposal call.
I. Record-Breaking Number of Applications,57Projects Receive Funding
The European Commission disclosed that the 2025 EDF proposal call received 410 project applications — a new record high, representing a 37% increase over the previous year. After evaluation, 57 projects were selected for funding, with allocations divided into two categories:
• 32 applied technology development projects receiving €675 million, focusing on mature defense technologies ready for rapid deployment;
• 25 experimental research projects receiving approximately €332 million, prioritizing exploratory research into cutting-edge defense technologies.
The European Commission stated that this investment will comprehensively support the implementation of the '2030 Defence Readiness Roadmap', a strategic plan published by the Commission in October 2025, whose core objective is to fully strengthen Europe’s military capabilities by 2030.
II. Four Flagship Programs Targeting Frontier Defense Technologies
This investment will focus primarily on the EU’s four flagship defense programs to ensure Europe maintains leadership in advanced defense technologies. These four programs are:
1. European Drone Defense Program: Aims to detect and counter potential hostile drones; notably highlights the AETHER project, which will develop propulsion and thermal management systems compatible with related technologies under this program;
2. Eastern Flank Surveillance Program: Dedicated to enhancing security protection along Europe’s eastern flank;
3. European Air Shield Program: Establishes a military air defense and missile defense system;
4. European Space Shield Program: Builds a European satellite protection system to safeguard space assets.
III. Deepening Collaborative Cooperation with Ukraine’s Defense Industry
EU Defence Commissioner Andrius Kubilius emphasized at the European Forum less than one month ago that deep integration between Ukraine’s defense industry and Europe is critical. Several funded projects selected this time specifically focus on translating battlefield experience from the Ukrainian Armed Forces into practical solutions, further advancing cooperation between the EU and Ukraine’s defense industry.
A representative example is the STRATUS project, which aims to develop an AI-powered defense system against drone swarms, with Ukrainian subcontractors participating throughout R&D — directly integrating Ukraine’s frontline operational experience into European defense technology development.
IV. Italy’s Multi-Stakeholder Deep Involvement in Core Projects
Italian enterprises and research institutions hold prominent positions across multiple core projects selected this time, becoming key participants in Europe’s collaborative defense construction:
• Italy’s Leonardo S.p.A. participates in the ANEMOS project, which focuses on developing an advanced military communications and data exchange system interoperable across air, naval, and land forces;
• Fincantieri Group, Thales Alenia Space, Politecnico di Milano, the Institute for International Affairs, and the Italian Space Agency are also involved in multiple selected defense projects.
V. Funding Prioritizes SMEs, Lowering Industry Entry Barriers
Attracting new talent to the defense sector and supporting startups and SMEs is one of the core objectives of the European Defence Fund. The European Commission disclosed several targeted initiatives in its announcement:
• Over 21% of the total funding will be allocated to SMEs, assisting market participants without prior defense-sector experience to enter the industry;
• Some selected projects will launch ‘sub-calls’ to fund innovative ideas, with individual enterprises eligible for up to €60,000 in funding.
The European Commission also clarified that selection into this round does not signify completion of fund disbursement. Subsequently, the Commission will formally sign cooperation agreements with project consortia, aiming to complete all procedures and initiate fund disbursement by the end of 2026.