EU Launches AGILE Program to Boost Defense Innovation

New €115 million initiative aims to accelerate development and deployment of emerging defense technologies

Apr. 6, 2026 at 6:53am

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The European Union has launched a new €115 million program called AGILE to support 'new defense players' like SMEs, startups, and tech innovators in developing and rapidly deploying new defense technologies. The program aims to help the EU catch up to the significant investments in defense R&D by the U.S. and China in recent years.

Why it matters

The EU has recognized the need to bolster its defense capabilities and technological edge to keep pace with global competitors. AGILE is designed to streamline the development and adoption of innovative dual-use and defense technologies, helping the EU address evolving security threats more quickly.

The details

AGILE will provide €1 million to €5 million in funding to 20-30 projects involving SMEs, startups, tech innovators, and AI scale-ups. The program promises to support innovators from the technical development phase through to real-world deployment with national armed forces within 3 years. It aims to shorten the typical defense procurement timeline from years to just weeks.

  • In 2024, EU member states invested €13 billion in defense R&D.
  • In 2025, defense R&D investments increased by an additional €4 billion.
  • The European Commission proposed the AGILE regulation in March 2026 as part of its defense package.

The players

European Defence Agency

The European Union agency responsible for coordinating member states' defense capabilities development, research, acquisition, and armaments.

Henna Virkkunen

Executive Vice-President of the European Commission, who called AGILE 'the missing piece of the puzzle that helps defence solutions reach the market'.

United States

Invested €138 billion in defense innovation in 2024, maintaining a significant lead over Europe.

China

Estimated to have spent €38 billion on defense industry R&D in 2024, with a focus on emerging technologies like AI, hypersonics, and quantum.

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What they’re saying

“'AGILE is the missing piece of the puzzle that helps defence solutions reach the market'.”

— Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President, European Commission

What’s next

The European Commission's proposal for the AGILE regulation is now being transmitted to the European Council and Parliament for consideration and approval.

The takeaway

AGILE represents the EU's latest effort to accelerate the development and deployment of innovative defense technologies, helping it catch up to the significant investments made by global competitors like the U.S. and China. By supporting a diverse range of 'new defense players', the program aims to bring cutting-edge solutions to market faster and strengthen Europe's strategic autonomy.