BRUSSELS / EuroWire / – A new €115 million initiative aimed at boosting defence innovation across Europe has been approved by the European Union. The programme, called AGILE, is designed to accelerate defence innovation efforts throughout member states. It will provide support primarily to small and medium-sized enterprises, including start-ups and scale-ups. The regulation received final approval from the Council of the European Union on October 12, following the completion of legislative procedures by lawmakers. This initiative emphasizes emerging and disruptive technologies that can transition from R&D to operational deployment more swiftly.
Funding from AGILE will be allocated to developing and testing pioneering defence technologies, with an emphasis on civilian innovations repurposed for military use. The programme aims to award grants within four months of application submission. EU officials anticipate that the technologies supported will be operational within one to three years. Grant amounts will vary from €1 million to €5 million, offering smaller enterprises direct financial support for qualifying projects aligned with the programme’s objectives.
European Commission officials project that AGILE will fund approximately 20 to 30 projects during its initial phase. Selected initiatives may receive funding covering up to 100% of eligible costs. Companies are also permitted to claim expenses incurred up to three months prior to the call’s closing date. The work programme will prioritize mission-oriented product development and market delivery activities, facilitating the transition of defence solutions toward operational deployment and integration into procurement channels.
Rapid funding for smaller defence firms
Participating companies supported by AGILE will benefit from quicker access to testing and experimentation facilities across Europe. The framework additionally encourages matchmaking between smaller innovators and major defence manufacturers. Member states will play a role in defining the programme challenges, ensuring that funded work aligns with identified capability needs. Simplified procurement procedures for supported products are included in the rules, providing a streamlined pathway for successful projects to move from testing into supply chains and operational use within European markets participating in the initiative.
The first call for proposals is anticipated to launch in early 2027, coinciding with the programme’s operational start. Eligibility extends to companies from EU member states and associated countries. Ukraine, along with nations in the European Economic Area and the European Free Trade Association, will also be able to participate. The funding framework accommodates individual companies as well as consortia, allowing collaborative proposals for eligible projects.
Start of operations set for early 2027
Following a plenary vote on October 6, the European Parliament approved the final text after a political agreement was reached in July. The European Commission initially unveiled AGILE in March 2026 as a dedicated tool for accelerating defence technology development. Now, formal adoption completes the legal process before implementation begins. The regulation must be signed by the Presidents of Parliament and the Council before publication in the EU Official Journal, after which it will come into effect 20 days later.
AGILE is intended to complement existing European programmes that support defence research, industry growth, and technological adoption. Its €115 million budget, aligned with the current EU financial framework, primarily targets smaller and newer defence suppliers. The funding approach emphasizes rapid grant awards, testing access, and pathways into procurement for selected projects. The goal is to shorten the timeline from promising technology to operational deployment by European defence entities across participating nations.