The EU will invest 1.03 billion Euro in innovative military projects

The European Defence Fund will invest 1.03 billion euros in over 50 multinational military research and development projects. The European Commission has announced new funding for 54 programs, resulting from a 2023 call for proposals, bringing the EU’s total investment in defence R&D to over €3 billion by May 2021. Selected projects cover a wide range of technologies, including new tanks, aerial transporters, corvettes, anti-drone systems, and laser weapons. Major projects include the European Oversize Cargo Air Transport System (ESOCA), the Main ARMoured Tank of Europe (MARTE), and the C-UAS drone defense project. Particular attention will also be paid to chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear defence (CBRNe). Naviris will guide the development of the new European Patrol Corvette with a financing of 155 million euros for the second phase of the program. In addition, the TALOS-TWO project will develop 100-kilowatt advanced laser weapons by 2030.