EU presents plan to accelerate defense innovations

The European Commission has introduced a new €115 million funding instrument, AGILE, to accelerate the development and deployment of disruptive defence technologies, focusing on EU-based SMEs, start-ups, and scale-ups. The program aims to drastically shorten the timeline from research to operational use, particularly in areas like AI, quantum technologies, and unmanned systems, with funding covering up to 100% of eligible costs and featuring an accelerated application process. This initiative responds to the demands of modern warfare, as highlighted by the conflict in Ukraine, and complements existing EU defence innovation schemes to strengthen Europe's industrial base and defence ecosystem