European Defence Industry Programme 2026/2027: First calls published

The European Commission has adopted a €1.5 billion multiannual work programme for 2026‑2027 under the European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP).

The programme aims to strengthen the competitiveness, resilience, and readiness of the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base (EDTIB) while supporting cooperation with Ukraine. The financing decision and work programme were adopted by Commission Implementing Decision on 30 March 2026, setting out the actions to be financed and the budget distribution for EDIP.

The work programme allocates funds across common procurement actions, industrial reinforcement actions, supporting actions, and deployment of European Defence Projects of Common Interest. Its objectives include strengthening cooperation in defence procurement, improving supply‑chain capacity across EU Member States and associated countries, increasing manufacturing capacity, and supporting the recovery and modernisation of the Ukrainian defence industry.

The first EDIP calls for proposals are available on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal as of 31 March 2026.

While EDIP focuses on defence industrial capabilities, space-enabled technologies are strategic enablers. GNSS, Earth Observation, and Satellite Communications provide positioning, situational awareness, and secure communications essential for defence applications. These capabilities, supported by the EU Space Programme, offer concrete opportunities for downstream space actors to contribute to dual-use innovation and operational demonstrations.

Space Y encourages stakeholders to monitor the EU Funding & Tenders Portal and related EU Space Programme initiatives to explore collaboration opportunities in upcoming EDIP projects.

To know more, read the press realease of the EC DG DEFIS here.