Important initiatives for the European defense takes over Commission in the wake of the critical geopolitical developments caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The destabilization in the east and the emerging security threats to the member states of the Union make it imperative to strengthen the European defense industry.

The European Commission has a number of important tools for financing innovative defense programs which it is going to present at the international defense and security exhibition DEFEA – Defense Exhibition Athens to be held on 9-11 May 2023 in Athens.

For the first time in fact, the European Commission will participate with its own stand at DEFEA, highlighting the upgraded role of Greece as a pillar of security and stability in the wider Eastern region
Europe and the Balkans.

In Athens representatives of the Directorate-General for Defense Industry and Space of the European Commission (DEFIS) will be present to present the initiatives and financial opportunities provided by the Commission through the European Defense Fund (EDF – European Defense Fund) and the Defense Innovation Scheme (EDIS) and to inform all interested parties about the proposal submission process and the comparative advantages offered by participation in European programs.
In addition to the stand, Commission representatives will participate in round table discussions and make targeted presentations.

Investments in defense

The focus will be on the European Defense Fund (EDF), an €8 billion collaborative Research and Development program that promotes industrial competitivenessand interoperability across Europe. The objective of the Fund (EDF) is the development of the defense capabilities of the Union through innovative technologies and the creation of new generation defense systems with the greatest possible participation of small and medium-sized enterprises of the member states.
It is worth noting that in the 2021 call for proposals, the European Defense Fund financed 60 cooperative defense programs while almost half of the participants were small and medium enterprises in the space.

In the framework of DEFEAthe EU Defense Innovation Scheme (EDIS) program under the umbrella of the European Defense Fund (EDF) will also be presented.
This is a 2 billion Commission initiative that aims to attract companies that do not belong to the “narrow” framework of the defense industry but have business activity in emerging technologies such as technical intelligence, quantum computers, 5G networks, technologies that will play a leading role in development of future defense systems.

Strategic Compass

The Commission’s goal remains the defense autonomy of the Union through the strengthening of the European defense industry. After all, the priorities have been jointly agreed by the member states and constitute the road map of the European Union, also known as the Strategic Compass.
The rapidly changing environment of complex threats facing Europe as well as the ongoing pressure in the east as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine leave no room for complacency but call for brave interventions with the ultimate goal of developing the Union’s defense capabilities on land, in the air , the sea, space and cyberspace.

The European Commission stand will be located in Hall 3, seat B34 and visitors will have the opportunity to watch the presentations and get in touch with the representatives of the Commission, who will answer questions about the financial programs of the Union