The European Commission is partnering with the European Defence Agency on BraveTech EU

The European Commission and the European Defence Agency (EDA) have signed a Contribution Agreement to launch the second phase of theBraveTech EU initiative. This marks a significant step forward in EU-supported defence innovation. Under this agreement, the EDA will receive €35 million to implement the next phase of the programme.

BraveTech EU, announced on 11 July 2025 by Commissioner Andrius Kubilius and Ukrainian Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, is an innovation programme developed in close collaboration with the Ukrainian defence innovation cluster Brave1. The initiative is designed to accelerate the development of solutions that directly address urgent operational needs, particularly those arising on the Ukrainian battlefield.

Structured in two phases, BraveTech EU combines the rapid identification of promising technologies with real-world validation. 

The first phase, known as ‘DefTech Forges’, was awarded to a consortium comprising Civitta, Starburst Accelerator and Darkstar. This phase focuses on screening and selecting the most promising solutions from innovators across Europe. The second phase, now led by the EDA, will involve testing and evaluating these solutions in environments that resemble real operational conditions and scenarios derived from the war in Ukraine.

Implementation of the initiative is already underway. The first DefTech Forges events are scheduled for June in Estonia and France, whilst initial testing and evaluation activities are planned for later this year. Together, these efforts aim to strengthen the European defence innovation ecosystem, whilst providing tangible support for Ukraine’s immediate operational needs.

More information: European Commission.