AGILE: New EU Programme to Accelerate Defence Innovation with €115 Million in Funding for 2027

The European Union is launching a new programme, AGILE (Programme for Agile and Rapid Defence Innovation), aimed at accelerating the development and deployment of innovative technologies and products for European defence needs.

A budget of €115 million is allocated for 2027. The programme is designed to bridge the technology and defence sectors, foster the development of innovative solutions, and provide faster access to funding for defence innovation.

Key features of the programme include:

• Funding for projects ranging from €1 million to €5 million.
• A particular focus on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from EU Member States, EEA-EFTA countries and Ukraine.
• Support for the development of innovative technologies and cost-effective defence solutions.
• An accelerated funding procedure, aiming to reach funding decisions within four months.

The first calls for project proposals are expected to be launched in early 2027.

The AGILE programme represents a new opportunity for European companies developing innovative technologies and products with potential applications in the defence sector.