“We must adapt to modern warfare”

With this diagnosis, the Commission of Ursula von der Leyen launched this Wednesday a new fund of 115 million euros – baptized as AGILE – to accelerate the arrival of disruptive military technologies from the laboratory to the battlefield.

The pilot program seeks promote the development and testing of cutting-edge innovations in Defensefrom artificial intelligence and quantum technology to drones, and facilitate their arrival to the market.

Brussels maintains that Russia’s war against Ukraine has shown that the advantage on the battlefield no longer depends only on size or weapons, but on the ability of Design, validate and deploy new solutions in weeks or monthsinstead of years.

In a context in which modern warfare is undergoing rapid digital and technological transformation, AGILE is designed for new actors in the military field: start-ups and technological innovators capable of moving at high speed.

“So far, the EU has done outstanding work in military R&D. However, we have not reached the levels of speed, risk taking and support for SMEs and start-ups of the military sector that we would like”, has recognized Henna Virkkunenvice president of the Commission for Technological Sovereignty, Security and Democracy.

“With AGILE we are breaking down the barriers that until now had kept our most creative technology companies on the sidelines of Defense. We want to create a fast action cultureensuring that SMEs and start-ups can strengthen Europe’s deterrence and security through innovative solutions,” underlines Virkkunen.

The new fund of 115 million does not involve extra moneybut rather recycles unused resources from other EU Defense programs. The measure prepares the ground until the multiannual budget 2028-2034 comes into force, which will multiply military investment by five.

Only companies from the European Union, as well as from Ukraine, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland will be able to access this financing. AGILE promises a record concession period of just four months and that technologies reach the armed forces in one to three years.

The program will finance between 20 and 30 projects, covering up to 100% of eligible costswith items of between 1 and 5 million euros per project. In addition, it will allow the recovery of expenses incurred up to three months before the closing of the call, a measure designed to maintain the speed of innovation.

The work plan will focus on two axles: the development of cutting-edge military products and technologies, and their put on the marketensuring that solutions reach those who really need them. It also includes incentives to attract companies to relocate to the EU.

AGILE is expected to go live in early 2027, with the goal of ensure rapid deployment of new technologies in European armed forces.