European Defence Fund

About the programme

The European Defence Fund is the Commission's key initiative to support collaborative research and development of defence capabilities with the EU budget.

Under the next multiannual financial framework of the Union (2021-2027), the Fund will financially support consortia of companies from different member states undertaking cooperative defence research and development of defence products and technologies. The Fund also includes mechanisms to stimulate the opening of supply chains.

Programme website

Funding opportunities

Budget and performance

Includes performance highlights, key performance indicators, and the performance framework and assessment.

Programme performance webpage

Programme features

Programme duration: 2021-2027
Lead Directorate-General: Defence Industry and Space
Predecessor programme: European Defence Industrial Development Programme (EDIDP)
Management mode: Direct and indirect management
MFF heading: Security and Defence
Cluster: Defence
Climate contribution: No target set in the legal basis ^(ℹ)
Total budget 2021-2027: € 7.95 billion ^(ℹ) (current prices)
Relevant regulation: Regulation (EU) 2021/697 of the European Parliament and of the Council;
Regulation (EU) 2018/1092 of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the European defence industrial development programme.