The Commission is undertaking important initiatives for European defence in the aftermath of the critical geopolitical developments caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Destabilization in the east and emerging security threats to EU Member States render the need to strengthen the European defence industry imperative.

The European Commission has a number of important funding tools at its disposal for financing innovative defence programs, which will be presented at the international defence and security exhibition DEFEA – Defence Exhibition Athens, which will take place on May 911, 2023 in Athens.

In fact, for the first time, the European Commission will participate with its own booth at DEFEA, highlighting the upgraded role of Greece as a pillar of security and stability in the wider region of Eastern Europe and the Balkans. 

The event in Athens will be attended by representatives of the Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space (DEFIS) and of the European Commission to present the initiatives and financing opportunities provided by the Commission through the EDF (European Defence Fund) and the European Defence Innovation Scheme (EDIS) as well as to inform all interested parties about the proposal submission process and comparative advantages offered by participation in European programs.

In addition to the booth, representatives of the Commission will participate in round table-type discussions and will make presentations.

Also read: DEFEA renders Greece the center of information on developments in defence technology

Investments in defence

The focus will be on the European Defence Fund (EDF), a collaborative Research and Development program worth 8 billion euros that promotes industrial competitiveness and interoperability across Europe.

The Fund’s goal is the development of the Union’s defence capabilities through innovative technologies, but also the creation of new-generation defence systems with the largest possible participation of small- and medium-sized enterprises of the Member States.

It is worth noting that in the 2021 call for proposals, the European Defence Fund financed 60 cooperative defence programs, while almost half of the participants were small- and medium-sized enterprises in the field.

In the context of DEFEA, the EU Defence Innovation Scheme will also be presented, which is under the umbrella of the European Defence Fund. This is a 2 billion Commission initiative aimed at attracting companies not belonging to the “narrow” framework of the defence industry, but have business in emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, quantum computers, 5G networks, technologies that will play a leading role in the development of future defence systems.

Strategic Compass

The Commission’s goal is still the defence autonomy of the Union through the strengthening of the European defence industry. After all, the priorities have been jointly agreed upon by the Member States and constitute the road map of the European Union, known as the Strategic Compass.

The rapidly changing complex threat environment that Europe faces, but also the continuous pressure in the east as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, leaves no room for complacency, but calls for brave interventions with the ultimate goal of developing the defence capabilities of the Union on land, air, sea, space and cyberspace.

The European Commission booth will be in Hall 3, booth B34 and visitors will have the chance to watch the presentations and speak to the representatives of the Commission, who will answer questions relevant to the financial programs of the Union.

Also read: EDF | Greece in 5th place for funding from European Defence Fund