BRUSSELS / EuroWire / – The European Union has greenlit a €115 million initiative aimed at boosting defence innovation across member states. Known as the AGILE programme, it will support small and medium-sized enterprises, including start-ups and scale-ups, in advancing defence-related technologies. The Council of the European Union officially approved the regulation on October 12, after completing the final legislative steps. The initiative emphasizes emerging and disruptive technological solutions that can be transitioned swiftly from development to practical defence applications.
Funding for AGILE will facilitate the creation and testing of innovative defence equipment, including civilian technologies adapted for military use. The programme aims to award grants within four months of application submission. EU officials anticipate that the technologies supported will be delivered to defence forces in a timeframe of one to three years. Grant amounts will range from €1 million to €5 million, providing smaller companies direct funding opportunities for projects aligned with programme criteria.
The European Commission projects that AGILE will back around 20 to 30 projects during its initial phase. Selected initiatives may be eligible to receive funding covering up to 100% of qualifying costs. Companies are also allowed to claim expenses incurred up to three months before the call’s closing date. The work programme will prioritize mission-specific product development and market delivery activities, supporting the transition of defence solutions into operational deployment and procurement channels.
Accelerated grants aim to benefit smaller defence firms
Participating companies supported by AGILE will have quicker access to testing and experimentation facilities across Europe. The framework additionally facilitates matchmaking between smaller innovators and leading defence manufacturers. Member states will contribute to defining programme challenges to ensure funded projects address actual capability gaps. The rules also introduce simplified procurement procedures for supported products, offering another pathway for projects to transition from testing to inclusion in defence supply chains and operational deployment across European markets involved.
The first call for proposals is projected 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 from the European Economic Area and European Free Trade Association, will also be eligible to participate. Both individual companies and consortia can apply, with the funding framework accommodating collaborative projects that meet criteria.
Official launch scheduled for early 2027
Following a political agreement reached in July, the European Parliament approved the final text in a plenary vote on October 6. The European Commission initially unveiled AGILE in March 2026 as a specialized tool for expediting defence technology development. Now, formal adoption completes the legal process needed for implementation. The regulation must be signed by the Presidents of both Parliament and Council before being published in the EU Official Journal. It will then enter into force 20 days after publication.
AGILE is designed to supplement existing European initiatives that support defence research, industrial growth, and technological adoption. With a €115 million budget within the current EU financial framework, the programme particularly targets smaller and newer defence suppliers. Its funding approach combines rapid grant allocation, testing access, and pathways into procurement for selected projects. The goal is to streamline the journey from promising technology to operational testing and deployment, serving European defence customers across participating nations.