European Defence Fund Continues Funding Military R&D for Spanish Firms and Universities

• The 5th call of the European Defence Fund (EDF) has selected 57 projects with over €1 billion in funding.
• Spanish entities participate in 42 of these projects, involving major defense firms and seven universities.
• Controversies have emerged regarding the inclusion of Israeli-owned companies in EU-funded military research.

European Defence Fund (EDF) Overview

• The program has allocated over €5 billion between 2021 and 2025, with a total budget of €7.3 billion for 2021–2027.
• Funding is split between research (up to 100% subsidy) and development/prototyping (20% EDF, 80% member state contribution).
• Key focus areas include AI, cyber-defense, drone systems, and conventional combat sectors like naval and aerial warfare.

Spanish Participation

• Leading Spanish firms include Indra (15 projects), GMV Aerospace (6), Escribano (4), and Navantia (4).
• Seven Spanish universities are involved, with the University of Murcia and the Polytechnic University of Madrid participating in all five calls to date.
• Spanish entities lead coordination on 10 approved projects.

Israeli Defense Ties and Criticisms

• The Greek firm Intracom Defense, acquired by Israel Aerospace Industries in 2023, is a beneficiary of the EDF, specifically through the SKYRAPTOR project focused on loitering munitions and small unmanned combat aircraft (UCAS).
• This has triggered backlash in the European Parliament and among activists who object to the EU subsidizing Israeli military firms.
• Critics argue that university involvement in these programs fuels the remilitarization of the EU and suggest that these funds would be better directed toward social welfare.