EU invests €1.07bn in 57 EDF defence projects covering drone defence, AI and counter-UAS across 26 member states

The European Commission announced on 15 April 2026 that it will invest €1.07 billion in 57 defence projects selected under the 2025 European Defence Fund calls. The funding supports four major EU Defence Readiness Flagships: the European Drone Defence Initiative, the Eastern Flank Watch, the European Air Shield and the European Space Shield. Projects cover AI, cyber defence, drones and counter-drone systems across 634 entities from 26 EU member states and Norway. Project STRATUS will develop an AI-powered cyber defence system for drone swarms with a Ukrainian subcontractor. SMEs make up over 38% of participants. The fifth round of EDF calls attracted a record 410 proposals, a 37% increase on the prior year. The Drone Defence Initiative directly shapes the technology architecture for EU border security and national police counter-UAS procurement as these capabilities transfer from military to law enforcement contexts.

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