War in Ukraine prompts a shift in EU-funded defence research
Following the Russian invasion, the latest grants awarded by the European Defence Fund back technologies to improve the security of Europe. That is in contrast to earlier awards when the emphasis was on expeditionary capabilities.
Following the conflict in Ukraine, the European Defence Fund (EDF) has shifted its focus from expeditionary capabilities for foreign interventions to enhancing conventional defence technologies in Europe. An analysis reveals that the EU is now prioritizing areas like missile and air defense, tanks, and ammunition. Notably, the EDF awarded significant funding to projects that bolster naval surveillance, develop semi-autonomous vessels, and establish space-based early warning systems. This strategic pivot comes amid previous criticisms suggesting the EU lacked a long-term strategy for the EDF.