The European Union’s security environment has been demanding in recent years and 2025 was no exception. Yet 2025 was also a year in which the European Union demonstrated determination: to strengthen capabilities, sustain readiness, and respond effectively within our neighbourhood.
Even in uncertain times, there are reasons for confidence. The European Defence Agency supported Member States across its five core tasks: identifying shared priorities; enabling collaborative innovation; harmonising requirements and jointly developing capabilities; aggregating demand for common procurement; and advocating for our armed forces at EU level.
Progress has been tangible. Through the Hub for EU Defence Innovation (HEDI), the first EU-wide operational experimentation campaign for autonomous systems was successfully conducted in Italy. Over the course of the year, 87 ad hoc capability and research and technology projects were undertaken, worth €558 million, alongside support to 10 PESCO projects and 42 European Defence Fund initiatives valued at over €300 million. Work also continued on joint capability development and collaborative procurement, including preparation of the business case for loitering munitions.
In addition, the launch of EDA’s online government-to-government matchmaking platform — featuring over 400 projects and 50 identified capability needs — has provided a valuable tool that has now become permanent in 2026.
EU Heads of State and Government have called for a strengthened role for the European Defence Agency and EDA remains committed to doing more for Member States: building collaborative capabilities, facilitating procurement, advancing research and innovation, and helping to ensure Europe’s long-term security in support of NATO.
Read EDA's 2025 Annual Report here.