BRUSSELS / EuroWire / – The European Union has approved a €115 million initiative aimed at boosting defence innovation throughout the bloc. Known as the AGILE Programme for Agile and Rapid Defence Innovation, the scheme will aid small and medium enterprises, including startups and scale-ups. The European Council officially approved the regulation on October 12, following the completion of legislative procedures by lawmakers. Its focus is on emerging and disruptive technologies capable of transitioning swiftly from research to practical defence deployment.
Funding will cover the development and testing of innovative defence solutions, including civilian technologies adapted for military needs. Grants are expected to be awarded within four months of application submission, with the aim that technologies supported will reach defence forces within one to three years. Funding amounts will range from €1 million to €5 million, providing smaller companies with direct access to project funding aligned with programme criteria.
The European Commission anticipates that AGILE will support roughly 20 to 30 projects during its initial phase. Selected initiatives may qualify for funding covering up to 100% of eligible costs, including expenses incurred up to three months prior to the call deadline. The programme’s scope includes mission-focused product development and market delivery activities, facilitating the transition of defence innovations toward operational deployment and procurement channels.
Fast-tracking grants for smaller defence firms
Companies supported by AGILE will benefit from expedited access to testing and experimentation facilities across Europe. The framework also facilitates matchmaking between small innovators and major defence contractors. Member states will contribute to defining challenge areas to ensure funded projects address real capability needs. Simplified procurement rules are incorporated to streamline the transition of supported products from testing to supply chains and operational use across participating European markets.
The first proposal submission window is anticipated to open early in 2027, coinciding with the programme’s operational start. Eligible participants include firms from EU member states and associated countries, as well as Ukraine, and nations within the European Economic Area and European Free Trade Association. Both individual companies and consortia can apply under the funding scheme for suitable projects.
Official launch set for early 2027
Following a successful plenary vote on October 6 and a political agreement reached in July, the European Parliament approved the text. Introduced in March 2026 as a dedicated tool for speeding up defence tech development, AGILE’s formal adoption now advances through remaining legal steps. The regulation must be signed by the Presidents of Parliament and the Council before publication in the EU Official Journal, after which it will become effective 20 days later.
AGILE will complement existing European programmes supporting defence research, industrial growth, and technology adoption. Its €115 million budget fits within the current EU financial framework, with a specific emphasis on smaller and newer defence suppliers. The funding approach combines rapid grant approval, testing access, and procurement pathways for selected projects, aiming to shorten the timeline from promising technology to operational deployment across participating countries.