BRUSSELS / EuroWire / – In Brussels, the European Union announced the approval of a €115 million initiative aimed at boosting defence innovation throughout the bloc. Known as the AGILE, this programme intends to support small and medium-sized enterprises, including start-ups and scale-ups. Following the Council of the European Union’s formal approval on October 12, after the completion of legislative procedures, the initiative aims to fast-track the development of emerging and disruptive technologies that can transition swiftly from research to practical defence deployment.
The AGILE scheme will fund the creation and testing of innovative defence solutions, encompassing civilian technologies adapted for military purposes. The programme aims to award grants within four months of receiving applications. EU officials anticipate that the supported technologies will be operational within one to three years. Grant sizes will range from €1 million to €5 million, offering smaller firms direct access to funding for projects aligned with programme criteria.
The European Commission projects that AGILE will fund approximately 20 to 30 projects during its initial phase. Selected initiatives may receive financial support covering up to 100% of eligible expenses. Companies can also submit claims for qualifying costs incurred up to three months prior to the closing date of a call. The work programme will encompass mission-oriented product development and market deployment activities, facilitating the transition of defence solutions toward operational users and procurement channels.
Fast-track funding aims to assist smaller defence enterprises
Participating companies under AGILE will gain quicker access to testing and experimentation facilities across Europe. The framework also encourages collaboration by connecting smaller innovators with major defence manufacturers. EU member states will contribute to defining programme challenges, ensuring funded projects align with identified capability needs. Additionally, the rules include simplified procurement procedures for supported products, providing an alternative pathway for projects to move from testing phases into defence supply chains and operational deployment across participating European markets.
The first call for proposals is anticipated to open in early 2027, coinciding with the programme’s operational start. Eligible applicants will include companies from EU member states and associated countries. Ukraine, along with nations within the European Economic Area and European Free Trade Association, will also be able to participate. The framework permits individual companies to apply, while consortium-based applications remain an option for qualifying projects under the funding scheme.
Implementation scheduled for early 2027
Following a political agreement reached in July, the European Parliament approved the final text in a plenary vote on October 6. The EU initially introduced AGILE in March 2026 as a dedicated instrument to expedite defence technology development. The recent approval clears the last legal steps before the programme can be implemented. The regulation must be signed by the Presidents of the Parliament and Council before publication in the EU Official Journal, with its provisions coming into force 20 days thereafter.
AGILE will serve as a complement to existing European initiatives supporting defence research, industrial growth, and technology adoption. With a €115 million budget within the current EU financial framework, the programme places particular emphasis on smaller and newer defence suppliers. Its funding approach combines rapid grant allocation, testing access, and pathways into procurement for selected projects, aiming to shorten the timeline from technological innovation to operational deployment for European defence customers across participating nations.