Defence`s Feeds

Length of video : 60'

Disclaimer : The interpretation of debates serves to facilitate communication and does not constitute an authentic record of proceedings. Only the original speech or the revised written translation is authentic.
Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Length of video : 120'

Disclaimer : The interpretation of debates serves to facilitate communication and does not constitute an authentic record of proceedings. Only the original speech or the revised written translation is authentic.
Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

On 14 July, Denmark - the EU Member State currently holding the Presidency of the Council of the European Union - announced its donation of satellite communication services to Ukraine via the European Defence Agency.

The donation includes solutions that increase Ukraine’s access to secure and stable satellite-based communications, such as receiver terminals that will contribute to the country’s ability to defend itself. These terminals will ensure robust and secure connectivity, which can be crucial for the conduct of military operations. Secure and stable satellite-based communications solutions remain in high demand by Ukraine.

The framework provided by EDA can help diversify satellite communication service usage over Ukraine. Such a donation contributes to promoting both Ukraine’s and Europe’s technological strategic autonomy and freedom of action in space. Satellites play a crucial role in modern defence today. Other EU countries may be considering similar donations.

Read more: https://www.fmn.dk/da/nyheder/2025/danmark-donerer-satellittjenester-til-ukraines-forsvar-gennem-eus-forsvarsagentur  

EDA’s broader role 

Founded in 2004, the Agency helps foster defence cooperation across Europe. It serves as the central hub for EU countries aiming to develop their defence capabilities together. EDA’s activities span from harmonising requirements and developing operational capabilities to research, technology, innovation, training, and supporting Common Security and Defence Policy operations. The agency also works closely with the European defence industry to strengthen Europe’s technological and industrial base. 

DRAFT REPORT on military mobility
Committee on Security and Defence
Committee on Transport and Tourism
Roberts Zīle, Petras Auštrevičius

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

On 14 and 15 July, Parliament will host the 107th Rose-Roth Seminar in partnership with the NATO Parliamentary Assembly (NATO PA).
Committee on Security and Defence

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

On 16 July, the Danish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, Troels LUND POULSEN, will present the Danish Presidency priorities to strengthen European defence and sustain military support to Ukraine. This will include finishing the work started with the European Parliament on the European Defence Industry Programme and other new defence-related legislative proposals.
On the same day, the Members will be debriefed by the NATO Deputy Secretary General, Radmila SHEKERINSKA, on the outcome of the recent NATO Summit in The Hague, where historic commitments have been made to increase defence spending and to achieving new capability targets by 2035.
Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Less than two months since his appointment as EDA Chief Executive, André Denk has begun touring Member States to discuss their respective defence priorities and EDA’s pivotal role in serving Member States’ interests, leveraging defence and capability development cooperation in the European Union.   

Earlier this week, Chief Executive Denk visited Sweden and Italy – where he met with the Ministers of Defence of both countries, as well as top national defence authorities.   

Sweden

In Stockholm, he met with Minister of Defence Pål Jonson and with the Chief of Defence, General Michael Claesson. Denk also visited the Swedish Defence Research Agency (FOI), the Swedish Defence Material Administration (FMV), and the Swedish Armed Forces. Discussions revolved around Sweden’s ongoing priorities and EDA’s concrete support to Member States in innovation, capability development, and joint procurement. 

Italy

In Rome, he met with Minister of Defence Guido Crosetto, National Armaments Director Admiral Giacinto Ottaviani, Chief of Defence General Luciano Portolano, and Deputy Chief of Defence General Del Bene. Discussions focused on reinforcing cooperation in defence, aligning industrial and technological priorities, and advancing European strategic autonomy.  

During his trip to Rome, Denk also presented the results of the first-ever Operational Experimentation (OPEX) campaign dedicated to unmanned systems – i.e. UAVs and UGVs - for cross-domain logistics at the Italian Army's multifunctional experimentation centre, CEPOLISPE. 

EDA's Chief Executive will travel to other Member States in the coming weeks.

General Michael Claesson, Sweden's Chief of Defence

General Carl-Johan Edström, Sweden's Chief of the Defence Staff

Guido Crosetto, Italian Minister of Defence - and his delegation

 

Admiral Giacinto Ottaviani, Italy's National Armaments Director

Main photo: Guido Crosetto, Italy's Defence Minister; Pål Jonson, Sweden's Defence Minister

EDA’s broader role 

Founded in 2004, the Agency helps foster defence cooperation across Europe. It serves as the central hub for EU countries aiming to develop their defence capabilities together. EDA’s activities span from harmonising requirements and developing operational capabilities to research, technology, innovation, training, and supporting Common Security and Defence Policy operations. The agency also works closely with the European defence industry to strengthen Europe’s technological and industrial base.

On 3 July 2025, six European defence companies gathered near Rome to demonstrate unmanned aerial and ground systems as part of the European Defence Agency’s (EDA) first-ever European Defence Innovation Operational Experimentation (OPEX) campaign. The live demonstration took place under the umbrella of the Hub for EU Defence Innovation (HEDI), at the Italian Army’s Multifunctional Experimentation Centre (CEPOLISPE) in Montelibretti, Italy.

Crucially, this marks the first operational experimentation coordinated at EU level. While similar initiatives have taken place nationally, OPEX introduces a new model of cross-border collaboration among Member States.

"Security, warfare, and technology are changing at an accelerating pace. The war in Ukraine reshaped our understanding of defence innovation, compressing years of development into weeks through rapid prototyping, adaptability, and tight collaboration among armed forces, engineers, and civilians. So, defence innovation is no longer optional, nor a long-term ambition,” said André Denk, EDA’s Chief Executive, during the Distinguished Visitors’ Day. “Accelerating innovation from the lab to the field is our ticket to operational relevance.”

The OPEX campaign embodies HEDI’s ambition to bridge the gap between promising innovation and real-world military capability. By testing unmanned aerial and ground systems in realistic operational conditions, OPEX offers a way for Member States, industry and end-users to jointly test, evaluate and refine technologies. That helps to overcome the “valley of death” where innovations often fail to reach operational use.

Unlike traditional demonstrations, OPEX reflects a shift toward experimentation as a strategic tool. It generates critical insights into operational concepts, training requirements and interoperability challenges — supporting long-term defence planning. From autonomous systems and drones to electronic interference platforms, the campaign reflects EDA’s commitment to accelerating the uptake of emerging capabilities.

Weeks of field testing

The campaign unfolded in several phases of increasing complexity, from the evaluation of individual systems to fully integrated, cross-domain operations using unmanned aerial systems (UAVs) and unmanned ground systems (UGVs). The six companies — Portugal’s BEYOND VISION, ALTUS LSA of Greece, Austria’s SCHIEBEL, ALYSIS of Spain, PIAP of Poland and Germany’s ARX ROBOTICS — carried out simulations of coordinated tactical missions, focused on autonomous logistics under conditions closely mirroring real-life scenarios.

The final phase of the campaign tested these systems further in demanding, multi-domain environments, providing insight into how advanced technologies can be integrated into future military operations and force structures.

The Distinguished Visitors’ Day event brought together high-level representatives, including EDA's Denk, Director of CEPOLISPE Brigadier General Pierpaolo Dotoli, Italian National Armaments Director (NAD) Admiral Giacinto Ottaviani, and Italy's Deputy NAD Luisa Riccardi. EDA’s Director for Research, Technology and Innovation, Nathalie Guichard outlined HEDI’s mission to accelerate defence innovation across the EU.

OPEX campaigns will become a multi-annual effort under HEDI. Future editions, hosted by various Member States, will expand in scope and complexity, covering a wider range of emerging technologies. They will feed directly into EU defence planning, helping ensure that innovation is translated more rapidly and effectively into operational capability.

The OPEX support team is a consortium led by French company EXTENSEE. It helped in the design and execution of the OPEX campaign in collaboration with EDA and the Italian authorities.

EDA awarded contracts across six specialised categories, following a competitive procurement process launched in July 2024:

• Low-Cost Attritable UAS – BEYOND VISION (Portugal) 
• Vertical Take-Off and Launch (VTOL) UAS – ALTUS LSA (Greece) 
• Heavy Lift VTOL UAS – SCHIEBEL (Austria) 
• Low-Cost Attritable UGS – ALYSIS (Spain) 
• Medium Wheeled Logistical UGS – PIAP (Poland)
• Medium Tracked Logistical UGS – ARX ROBOTICS (Germany) 

EDA’s broader role 

Founded in 2004, the Agency helps foster defence cooperation across Europe. It serves as the central hub for EU countries aiming to develop their defence capabilities together. EDA’s activities span from harmonising requirements and developing operational capabilities to research, technology, innovation, training, and supporting Common Security and Defence Policy operations. The agency also works closely with the European defence industry to strengthen Europe’s technological and industrial base. 

On 30 June 2025, the European Defence Agency (EDA) signed the contract for the LEO2VLEO project to develop and deploy a constellation of military defence satellites capable of manoeuvring between Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO).

The €10 million contract was signed at the EDA headquarters by Chief Executive André Denk and Jeroen Rotteveel, CEO of ISISPACE, who leads the industrial consortium.  

Co-funded by the Netherlands’ Ministry of Defence and the Austrian Armed Forces, the project will design, develop, build, launch, and operate a constellation of three 16U satellites. The launch is planned within two years, marking a significant leap in European defence space capability.  

Chief Executive Denk said: “LEO2VLEO is not just a demonstration of technology but a testament to our ability to work through multinational cooperation. We are proud to support this pioneering effort that will strengthen the EU’s resilience and readiness in space, an increasingly contested domain.”

ISISPACE CEO Rotteveel said: “It is encouraging to see this project gaining momentum, as it is a crucial step towards developing the space systems necessary for ensuring Europe's safety. Together with our consortium partners, we are confident in our ability to quickly deliver the functionalities required by the Dutch and Austrian Ministries of Defence.”

Earth observation, minimal debris

For EDA and its Capability Technology Area (CapTech) Space, the project represents an achievement in defence research and technology (R&T). It will be the first known European military satellite constellation capable of transitioning between LEO and VLEO – a manoeuvre that enables greater flexibility, higher-resolution imaging, and enhanced responsiveness during crisis operations.

The LEO2VLEO satellites will provide proof of concept and in-orbit demonstration of defence applications, addressing Europe's urgent need for sovereign, rapid-response space assets. Using VLEO offers several strategic advantages, including improved communications, agility, and Earth observation capabilities, while minimising space debris risk.

This novel approach uses off-the-shelf components combined with extensive R&T to accelerate operational readiness. The project also foresees the inclusion of payloads for Earth observation and navigational warfare – both critical in today’s security environment.

EDA’s Hub for EU Defence Innovation (HEDI) supported the initiative through a preliminary study based on its 2023 proof-of-concept framework. This early investment by HEDI has helped pave the way for the current demonstrator phase.

In addition to demonstrating in-orbit performance, the project includes pre-operational capability development, laying the foundation for a future fully operational military satellite system. If successful, LEO2VLEO will set the stage for enhanced autonomy and resilience in European defence missions.

The project brings together a consortium of European innovators, comprising: 

• ISISPACE Group (Lead)  
• Dawn Aerospace Nederland B.V.
• Fantana Defence and Space GmbH
• ASA Astrosysteme GmbH
• Graz University of Technology 
• Beyond Gravity Austria GmbH
• Joanneum Research Forschungsgesellschaft mbH

 

On June 25, the European Commission and the European Defence Agency (EDA) took a step forward in enhancing European defence cooperation by signing a Financial Framework Partnership Agreement (FFPA). This new agreement provides a long-term, stable foundation for working together on defence initiatives, especially in relation to the European Defence Fund (EDF). 

The FFPA simplifies how the Commission and EDA sign annual Contribution Agreements, helping to speed up the process of supporting joint defence projects under the EDF. This creates the basis for a more enduring partnership between the Commission and EDA, closely linked to the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF).

The agreement aims to simplify and accelerate the administrative and financial procedures related to indirect management of EDF projects, allowing resources to be mobilised more efficiently in support of EU strategic autonomy.

More than 40 projects worth around €300 million

Since the EDF was established, the Commission has entrusted EDA with the indirect management of 24 defence projects. With the addition of new projects made possible through this FFPA, that number will rise to over 40 projects with a total value of around €300 million.

This new partnership builds on the strong cooperation that has already developed between the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space (DG DEFIS) and EDA. This framework stabilises and formalises a cooperation process between DG DEFIS and EDA on defence innovation, which further expands the complementarity between the European Defence Innovation Scheme (EUDIS) and EDA’s Hub for Defence Innovation (HEDI), building on their respective strengths.

DG DEFIS already closely collaborated with EDA for the implementation of EDF projects through annual Contribution Agreements since the launch of EDF in 2021. The FFPA ensures continuity and better coordination for European defence capabilities development.

In parallel with the FFPA, the Contribution Agreement for EDF 2024 calls was approved, further solidifying the operational and financial collaboration between the European Commission and EDA. Together, these agreements provide a clear and streamlined mechanism to manage joint defence projects, making it easier to implement and deliver critical defence capabilities.

André Denk, Chief Executive of the European Defence Agency, said: "Thanks to this new agreement and these new EDF projects, we can help EU Member States develop new defence technologies faster. Working with the European Commission, we can identify the most promising solutions, and, importantly, act as a technology broker – using EDA’s networks and EU funding to support further development." 

Timo Pesonen, Director-general of DG DEFIS, said: "This agreement is more than a formality; it is a strategic enabler. By simplifying our cooperation with EDA, we will accelerate the delivery of innovative, EU-funded defence projects. This partnership is a concrete step towards providing our armed forces with the cutting-edge capabilities they need, faster and more efficiently. We are committed to turning our cooperation into tangible results for Europe's security."   With an increasing number of projects and a deepening partnership, the Commission and EDA recognised the need to simplify how they work together. The FFPA does just that.   It introduces: 

• A standardised annual contribution agreement template that speeds up annual negotiations; 
• Faster EDF grant procedures, with a reduced administrative burden; 
• Better alignment of timelines between DG DEFIS and EDA, helping to ensure smoother delivery of funding to defence actors with a particular attention to grant agreement preparation timeline for directly and indirectly managed projects.

These changes are especially beneficial for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which make up a large share of EDF beneficiaries and are key drivers of innovation in the defence sector. 

EU defence officials gathered in Warsaw on June 17-18 for the first conference under the fourth phase of the EU’s flagship defence and sustainable energy initiative, aiming to reduce military dependence on fossil fuels while reinforcing operational resilience.

The two-day event brought together around 140 participants from 25 countries (23 EU Member States, Norway and Serbia) under the Consultation Forum for Sustainable Energy in the Defence and Security Sector (CF SEDSS), managed by the European Defence Agency (EDA) and funded by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Energy (DG ENER). Hosted under the Polish Presidency of the Council of the EU and by Poland’s Ministry of Defence, the conference set the tone for the programme’s next four years, which will run until September 2028.

While the new phase — CF SEDSS IV — formally began in late 2024, the Warsaw conference marked the community’s first full plenary in the new phase, after a decade of steady progress. With the EU targeting climate neutrality by 2050 and proposing a 90% net emissions reduction by 2040, ministries of defence are being urged to take a more proactive role.

“Energy sustainability and defence resilience go hand in hand. Less fossil fuels, smarter energy management, more energy efficiency and stronger critical energy infrastructure contribute to stronger defence,” EDA’s Director of Industry, Synergies and Enablers (ISE), Sean White, told the conference. “A greener, more energy-secure and resilient Europe starts with us.”

Krzysztof Zielski, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces, underlined: “Our task today and in the years ahead is not simply to adapt to change, but to shape the future of defence energy strategy with responsibility and resolve. In doing so we honour our duty not only to our nations, but to the stability of Europe as a whole.” The forum exemplifies the impact of unity between science, industry and defence, he said.

Katarzyna Smyk, Head of European Commission Representation, Poland, also underscored the significance of this initiative, stating: “The energy transition presents a unique opportunity for EU military forces to enhance their capabilities and maintain superiority. Equally important is the necessity of enhanced civil-military cooperation to bolster the resilience of critical energy infrastructure. In this framework, the CF SEDSS remains an excellent platform to contribute to reaching these important results.”

In his keynote speech, Paweł Wronka, Representative of the Chief of the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces said: "The military supports the protection of critical energy infrastructure. We face cyber attacks daily. Energy, as a strategic factor, is vital for the country to operate."

Renewables, digitilsation

Speakers highlighted that energy transition offers critical gains: reducing dependency on fossil fuel imports, improving supply resilience, and mitigating vulnerabilities exposed by Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. The event also addressed threats to critical infrastructure, including hybrid attacks in European sea basins.

The conference launched a comprehensive work programme including six plenary sessions, energy technology exhibitions, and crisis-response exercises focused on critical infrastructure. Key areas include energy efficiency, renewables, protection of critical energy infrastructure, battery storage, smart buildings, and digitalisation.

Innovative projects are already underway. In the forum’s previous phase, the Symbiosis Project began work on how offshore renewables such as wind farms can co-exist with military activities in the maritime domain — a  model of civil-military cooperation.

The new phase seeks to build on these achievements, leveraging over 50 project ideas and 15 studies generated since the Forum’s launch in 2015. The conference also served to reinvigorate cross-border collaboration after a period of limited in-person engagement. Officials praised the event as a springboard for deeper cooperation and a symbol of continuity amid shifting security dynamics.

More about the CF SEDSS

• Consultation Forum Sustainable Energy
• EDA and EU Commission sign grant for new phase in green defence
• Green fingers: EU defence energy community ends phase with new proposals

European Union Member States have approved 11 new projects under the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) in the sixth and final wave of the initial phase of the framework. These projects, which involve 19 Member States, aim to strengthen defence cooperation and capability development. 

The sixth wave of PESCO projects cover a wide range of needs, from broader strategic areas such as air and missile defence and cyber doctrine to more specific applications such as soldier systems and field medical facilities. Member States are also addressing key shortfalls by introducing unmanned aerial systems, improving interoperability through equipment standardisation, and boosting protection of vital undersea infrastructure. For more details of projects coordinated by Germany, Finland, France and Italy, please see here.  

New projects 

Germany (coordinating Member State) 

• Joint European Electromagnetic Warfare Convergence Initiative (JEEWCI) 
• Substitute for Lead in Infantry Ammunition (SLIA) 
• Common Handheld Optronic Interface (CHOI) 
• Infantry Navigation without GNSS (InfNav without GNSS)
• Future (unmanned) Air-to-Air Refuelling Capability 
• Unmanned Air Transport of Injured Soldiers (UNATIS) 
  
  

France (coordinating Member State) 

• Modular Seabed Vessel (MSV)
• Medical Treatment Facility Role 2 Forward – Capability Development (MTF R2F–CD) 
  
  

Finland (coordinating Member State) 

• Quantum Enablers for Strategic Advantage (QUEST)
  
  

Italy (coordinating Member State) 

• Directed Energy Systems (DES) 
• Next Generation Dismounted Soldier System (NGDSS) 
  
  

More demanding times 

From 2018 to 2025, PESCO has generated a total of 83 collaborative projects spanning the five operational domains of land, maritime, air, space and cyber. Eight have now closed, with 75 still ongoing. The projects have ranged from protecting space assets to monitoring undersea infrastructure. The European Defence Agency (EDA), which is part of the PESCO secretariat, believes the projects encourage a shared, intergovernmental approach to defence planning. All 26 participating Member States have taken part in various initiatives, working together to address capability gaps and fulfil their more binding commitments set out in PESCO. 

Compared to when the framework was first launched in December 2017, the second phase of PESCO (2025–2029) will take place in a much more dynamic and challenging security environment. Given Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine, there is now an urgent need to close capability gaps, especially those that cannot be met by a single country alone. In response to this, in November 2024, Ministers of Defence signed four letters of intent to work together on key capability areas highlighted in the most recent Coordinated Annual Review on Defence (CARD) report. CARD gives an overview of Member States’ defence plans and serves as a basis for deciding potential joint projects.  

The letters of intent focused on: Integrated Air and Missile Defence, Electronic Warfare, Loitering Munitions, and the European Combat Vessel. These initiatives, particularly those with a long-term focus, are strong candidates to become future PESCO projects. 

Existing tools such as the European Defence Fund (EDF), which co-finances multinational defence projects using money from the EU’s long-term budget, will continue to support PESCO projects, while discussions held at the European Council of EU leaders in February 2025 have built political momentum and given clearer direction to the EU’s defence ambitions. 

Looking ahead, the new projects also consider future defence challenges, such as the impact of quantum technologies and ensuring reliable access to ammunition. 

About PESCO 

The Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) is a legally binding initiative within the European Union's Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP). It aims to deepen defence cooperation among participating EU Member States, enhancing the EU's capacity to act as a security provider. All Member States except Malta are part of PESCO. 

Participation in PESCO is voluntary but entails binding commitments, including increasing defence spending, harmonising requirements, and pooling resources in defence equipment acquisition, research, and utilisation. EDA, along with the European External Action Service (EEAS) and the EU Military Staff (EUMS), is part of the PESCO secretariat, facilitating project implementation and ensuring coherence with other EU defence initiatives.  

Through collaborative projects, PESCO seeks to enhance interoperability and effectiveness of forces, strengthen Europe’s industrial and technological base, and ultimately increase the overall security of European citizens.  

At the EDA Steering Board held in Brussels today, EU Ministers of Defence endorsed the European Defence Agency’s synthesis of projects, actions and proposals for short-term joint acquisitions of defence equipment, in line with the initial list of priority areas set out in the European Council (EUCO) conclusions of 6 March 2025 and the White Paper on European Defence Readiness 2030.  

The EDA synthesis underscores the urgent need to enhance readiness and address critical capability gaps and shortfalls. It offers new lines of actions aligned with the agreed priorities, including restoring superiority in the air domain, strengthening land forces, and enhancing strategic enablers. It also emphasises that long term capability development should not be neglected. 

Ministers provided strategic guidance on how and where EDA can best support Member States in taking the work forward, in the short term and with a view to longer-term capability development projects. This includes more systematic aggregation of demand, harmonisation of requirements, and joint procurement. 

This was the first EDA Ministerial Steering Board chaired by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, in her capacity as Head of the European Defence Agency. It also marked the first Steering Board of André Denk as the Agency’s new Chief Executive. 

French Touch, a team of innovators and military personnel from France, won first place on 15 May at the European Defence Innovation Days’ first ‘Makeathon,’ a competition for unmanned ground vehicles. The winners were awarded €10,000 in prize money. 

The competition, organised by the European Defence Agency (EDA) with support from the Polish Ministry of Defence, was structured to include a spending cap of €25,000 and a weight limit of 75kg on each robot’s development. The competition aims to foster cooperation, cross-border knowledge sharing and to cultivate a mindset of continuous innovation.  

The Makeathon focused on three main tasks: logistics, object recognition, and chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) sample collection. Judges tested the teams on their technical performance and autonomy around a course set out in a field next to the European Defence Innovation Days’ exhibition centre in Krakow, Poland. Points were awarded based on task completion. Tasks included monitoring a simulated gas leak and testing water quality, and correctly identifying military targets. 

"You built machines, yes. But you also built bridges between military and civilian worlds," said Nathalie Guichard, EDA's Director of Research, Technology and Innovation, as she presented the prize.

French Touch developed a robot over two months using in-house design and manufacturing. Like all of the teams, the ground vehicle included a robotic arm, sensors and a camera for AI recognition. The team, which included members from French military AI specialists AMIAD, French procurement agency DGA, and the navy and air force, built the system from scratch. They used CNC-machined aluminium parts for the red, white, and blue robot, weighing under 50 kg. It was powered by four 1,000-watt motors and used for block delivery and water pH analysis. 

Poland’s Impuls team came second with a 38 kg rover made from polyamide composites. Built by students from the Kielce University of Technology, the robot used cameras and AI for semi-autonomous operation. The team focused on improving coordination and machine control. 

 

Third place went to another Polish team, the Legendary Rover Team, affiliated with Rzeszow University of Technology. Known for participating in Mars rover contests, the team upgraded its previous design with a new manipulator arm, wheel system and an electric drive.  

Dutch team DykstrAV, supported by robotics company Avular and formed by students from multiple universities, placed fourth. Their robot featured a modular design with a black-box electronic unit. Despite early navigation issues, the robot completed two of the three tasks using a mix of autonomous functions and manual control. 

Ukraine continues to prioritise rapid innovation on the battlefield and is ready to share further knowledge with the European Union, Deputy Defence Minister Valerii Churkin told attendees at the European Defence Innovation Days event in Poland on 14 May 2025. 

“To innovate fast, you have to be as close as possible to the frontline,” Churkin said at the start of the three-day event in Krakow. “So that's why we're asking you to join Ukraine, come to Ukraine, develop with Ukrainian companies, establish joint ventures.” Twelve Ukrainian companies were among the nearly 90 exhibitors that filled the hall at the European Defence Innovation Days. 

Newly appointed EDA Chief Executive André Denk opened the event by saying that the European Defence Innovation Days is not just a conference but a platform to “connect and match bold ideas with bold action.” 

Since 2014, and especially after Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, Ukraine’s Armed Forces have seen engineers, software developers, and business analysts join their ranks. These professionals have helped foster a bottom-up innovation culture, with most combat brigades now operating their own workshops to design and produce battlefield solutions. 

“What accelerates innovation is the existential threat. When your life depends on it, you develop so much faster,” Churkin said. Ukrainian units have established direct links between the front line and engineers, enabling faster prototyping and iteration of military technologies.  

To coordinate this rapid development, Ukraine has launched digital platforms such as Iron Bench, which connect private sector developers with military end-users. These systems provide near-instant feedback on battlefield tools and tactics, encouraging agile development. 

However, challenges persist. Chief among them is standardisation. Ukrainian forces employ a patchwork of Western and domestic technologies, which often lack compatibility in terms of frequency, command protocols, and user interfaces. 

“We’re now working on unified interfaces and protocols for drones and other systems to ensure our integration,” Churkin said. 

Senior European officials, defence experts, and industry representatives gathered in Kraków on 14 May for the European Defence Innovation Days. Drawing over 1,000 delegates from across Europe, the biannual forum is an initiative of the European Defence Agency (EDA), with support from the Polish Presidency of the Council of the EU in this third edition. Attendees also included military personnel, as well as researchers and investors from across Europe. 

Newly appointed EDA Chief Executive André Denk opened the three-day gathering by stressing that the European Defence Innovation Days was not just a conference but a platform to “connect and match bold ideas with bold action.” 

“In an era of great power competition and rapid technological advances — where speed often means strategic advantage — we cannot afford to fall behind,” Denk said. “The reason we are gathered here is one: to accelerate capability-driven innovation, ensuring that the best ideas don’t get stuck in the lab, but are translated into capabilities,” he said. 

The defence community must break down silos, connect the military with innovators, bridge the gap between the public and private sectors, cultivate a defence innovation mindset, and inspire cross-generational collaboration, delegates said. 

“We need to adapt to the changing environment,” said Marcin Gorka, Director of the Department of Innovation at Poland’s Ministry of National Defence. “The way we are developing capabilities ... is very static. We need to be able to change from talking about our specific requirements to talking about the operational challenges we need to address.” 

The event showcased Ukraine as a case study in rapid innovation under extreme conditions, with the participation in Krakow of Ukraine’s Deputy Minister of Defence Valerii Churkin.  

Ukraine's advantage has not just been in the technology it has reduced, but in its ability to regularly outpace Russia in the innovation cycle, said Kaja Kallas, Head of the European Defence Agency, in her role as High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. “Ukraine's experience underlines what you can do when you get everyone working together,” Kallas said during a video message to the conference. 

The event also aims to underscore EDA’s own role in fostering innovation. HEDI — the Hub for EU Defence Innovation — is the Agency’s platform to ensure ideas can become deployable capabilities. The European Defence Innovation Days features a live exhibition with almost 90 stands. Highlights include mock-ups of soon-to-launch satellites and Ukrainian combat robotics. There are two new features this year: a competition known as a makethon for Unmanned Ground Vehicles, and a start-up pitching competition, offering €10,000 and €15,000 prizes, respectively.