Grant and investment opportunities for European defence industry
In 2024, the European Commission made EUR 910 million available through the European Defence Fund (EDF). More than EUR 1 billion remains available for projects this year. This initiative is a key step towards strengthening the defence industry in Europe and ensuring the security of the continent. The Czech Republic offers businesses operating in the defence industry a link to state institutions and supports them in obtaining loans to finance their investments.
The EDF aims to promote innovation and cooperation between member states, scientific institutions, and industrial partners. It is part of a broader EU strategy to create a stronger and autonomous European defence policy. In the current programming period, EUR 7.3 billion are available for allocation until 2027. This year, investments will be directed towards several strategic areas, including force mobility, drone defence and cyber security. In addition, the Ukrainian defence industry will also be able to join EDF projects for the first time.
The EDF programme currently comprises 31 calls, focusing e.g. on the development of technologies and systems for air, land and maritime defence, cyber defence, energy management and propulsion systems for aircraft and ships, detection and surveillance technologies. The calls remain open until 16 October this year.
The Czech Republic sees the defence industry as a key area of investment in the current geopolitical situation. It seeks to encourage both domestic and foreign investment that can bring innovation and technological progress. The Czech Republic intends to become an important player in the European defence industry, which can be seen in its efforts to cooperate with international partners and integrate into European defence structures.
As part of its support for the defence industry, the Czech Republic in cooperation with the CzechInvest agency plans to launch the Defence Hub - a central information and acceleration centre that will support cooperation between start-ups, established commercial entities and state institutions in the defence industry. At national and European levels, the Defence Hub will proactively identify and promote relevant opportunities and grants like the DIANA and the NATO Innovation Fund initiatives. The Defence Hub will also assist with grant applications.
The Czech Republic also offers companies in the defence industry the possibility to use state guarantees to obtain investment loans from commercial banks. These guarantees will be provided by the Export Guarantee and Insurance Corporation (EGAP). CZK 500 million is currently available for allocation, which will make it possible to insure loans worth up to CZK 5 billion.
The plan is also to include projects focusing on dual-use goods among the strategic investments. This will allow them to benefit from more favourable conditions for obtaining investment incentives.
We are ready to discuss with you how to get support for your projects.