Estonian companies and research institutions are seeking a share of European funding through more than 60 European Defence Fund applications this year. The Estonian Ministry of Defence has selected 18 projects for a combined €3M in national co-financing.
The applications cover strategic areas including air defence, underwater protection for critical infrastructure and satellite communications, writes Tööstusuudised.
Backing new innovations
The ministry received applications from 63 projects involving Estonian companies and institutions and selected 18 for national support. The projects focus on innovative solutions and the modernisation of defence capabilities, giving local participants a route into larger European research and development consortia.
“Last year’s call for proposals saw international consortia with Estonian participation secure more than half of the total funding, over €700M. The success of Estonia’s defence industry in international competition is a phenomenon in its own right, and the Ministry of Defence is also supporting companies in applying,” said Siim Sukles, deputy secretary general for defence industry and innovation at the Ministry of Defence.
The current application round follows strong EDF results involving Estonia. “For companies, participation in EDF programmes is an important springboard for increasing export opportunities and expanding international cooperation. We see their interest in participating in calls for proposals growing year by year. This year, Estonian companies are participating in more than 60 projects, two of which are Estonian-led. The Ministry of Defence is providing €3M in co-financing for projects this year,” Sukles said.
Developing systems for European use
The two Estonian-led projects are RECLAIM and SDMMS2. RECLAIM is developing a semi-autonomous UAV and UGV system to clear ammunition and unexploded ordnance contamination from training areas. The project aims to make training-ground use more sustainable, reduce risks to personnel and protect the natural environment.
SDMMS2 focuses on speeding up border-crossing procedures in Europe and making military mobility between countries more flexible. Together, the projects illustrate the range of technical and operational challenges covered by the Estonian applications, from battlefield capability to infrastructure and movement.
The EDF is the European Union’s programme for research and development. It is expected to invest approximately €8B between 2021 and 2027 to strengthen the EU’s capabilities and competitiveness. The 2026 call has a budget of €1B.
The European Commission is evaluating the applications, with final results due by spring 2027. If selected for funding, the resulting products and technologies could reach the market during the 2030s.
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