BRUSSELS / EuroWire / – The European Union has introduced a €115 million initiative to boost defence innovation across member states. The programme, known as AGILE, aims to assist small and medium-sized enterprises, including start-ups and scale-ups. The European Council formally approved the regulation on October 12, following the completion of legislative procedures. The focus is on emerging and disruptive technologies that can progress from development to practical defence deployment more swiftly.
AGILE will fund the research, development, and testing of innovative defence solutions, including civilian technologies adapted for military use. Grants are expected to be awarded within four months of application submission. EU officials anticipate that supported technologies will reach defence forces within one to three years. Funding will range from €1 million to €5 million, providing smaller companies direct access to support for qualifying projects.
European Commission officials project that AGILE will fund around 20 to 30 projects in its initial phase. Selected initiatives may receive funding covering up to 100% of eligible costs. Companies can also claim expenses incurred up to three months before the closing date of a call. The work programme will support mission-driven product development and market deployment activities, helping defence solutions reach operational customers and procurement channels.
Speedy grants support smaller defence companies
Participating companies will gain quicker access to testing and experimentation facilities across Europe. The framework also promotes matchmaking between smaller innovators and larger defence manufacturers. EU member states will help define programme challenges to ensure funded work aligns with identified capability needs. The rules include simplified procurement procedures for supported products, facilitating the transition from testing to defence supply chains and operational deployment within participating European markets.
The initial call for proposals is expected at the start of 2027, when the programme is set to become operational. Eligible applicants include companies from EU member states and associated countries. Ukraine, along with nations in the European Economic Area and European Free Trade Association, can participate as well. Both individual companies and consortiums can apply under the funding framework for suitable projects.
Implementation scheduled for early 2027
The European Parliament approved the final text in a plenary vote on October 6, following a political agreement reached in July. EU officials first announced AGILE in March 2026 as a dedicated tool for accelerating defence technology development. Now, formal adoption completes the legal steps needed for implementation. The Presidents of Parliament and the Council must sign the regulation before it is published in the EU Official Journal, after which it will enter into force 20 days later.
AGILE will complement existing European initiatives that support defence research, industrial growth, and technology adoption. Its €115 million budget falls within the current EU financial framework. It especially targets smaller and newer defence suppliers. The funding approach involves quick grant decisions, testing access, and pathways into procurement for selected projects. The aim is to shorten the timeline from innovative technology to operational deployment across participating European countries.