410 proposals submitted for €1 billion fund

The European Defence Fund (EDF), an EU fund dedicated to defence projects, has received a record 410 project proposals under its 2025 call. The fund carries a funding envelope of €1.065 billion for collaborative defence research and capability-development actions. 

The figure marks a 38% increase in responses compared with the previous year, showing rising interest from both established defence industry actors and smaller players in Europe’s strategic-technologies domain. 

The 2025 work programme covers 33 call topics across ground, air, naval, space, and cyber domains. It includes a dedicated allocation under the EU Defence Innovation Scheme (EUDIS) for SMEs and start-ups. 

Key areas of focus among submitted proposals include next-generation military radars and sensors, counter-drone systems, AI dialogue tools for operational planning, and digital-soldier integration. 

According to the Commission: “The proposals received showcase strong industrial engagement and technological maturity across all EDF priorities.”

The strong response to the 2025 call comes amid increased urgency in Europe’s defence agenda, including supply-chain pressures and heightened threat perceptions on the eastern flank.

Contract awards are expected in April 2026.