European Defence Fund: Ten projects selected

The Luxembourg entities selected in this 2023 call for proposals are:

• Gradel in the ADMIRABLE project (enhancing European naval vessel capabilities by investing in advanced manufacturing technologies and composite based materials)
• Netcompany in the TRITON project (overcoming defence-specific obstacles associated to the automation of penetration tests, and fully automate the pre- and post-pentesting process)
• SnT and Odysseus Space for the AVALON project (designing of a reliable and flexible, secure and private, scalable wireless system that supports high-speed underwater communication)
• Starion (Rhea) for the ACTUS project (providing a step towards higher design level, major increase of safety of flight and improved resilience of tactical remote piloted aerial systems)
• Odysseus Space  for the OPTIMAS project (airborne laser communication system applicable to various satellite constellations for integration into air, naval and land units)
• Hitec for the AIDA project (developing and upgrading European defence technology in the field of cyber-defence AI).
• LMO for the STAALION project (demonstrating the potential performances of Space Domain Awareness and extending current surveillance and identification capabilities).
• Factiven for the EMISSARY project (enhancing the acquisition of Space Domain Awareness information).
• SnT and Integrasys for the DAEDALUS project (taking a significant step forward in the design of miniaturised and cyber hardened airborne radio frequency front-ends).
• Emtronix for the BODYGUARD project (autonomous space situational awareness capabilities onboard satellites).

This demonstrates the quality of the players in the Luxembourg defence ecosystem. Alexander Link (Luxinnovation) 

"We are very pleased to see the positive evolution in the number of Luxembourg projects selected in the European Defence Fund calls for proposals," states Alexander Link, Defence Technology and Innovation Coordinator at Luxinnovation. There were only 4 out of 61 projects in 2021 and 5 out of 41 projects in 2022. This year, 13 entities submitted their applications in 16 project proposals. With 10 entities selected, Luxembourg has the 5^th best success rate in the European Union. This demonstrates the quality of the players in the Luxembourg defence ecosystem."

Since the launch of the European Defence Fund in 2021, 14 Luxembourgish companies and research organisations (mainly in the Space and Cyber domains, but also Materials) have been selected for funding:

• 3 startups (LMO, Factiven, Odysseus)
• 5 SMEs (HITEC, Emtronix, Gradel, Amphinicy, Integrasys)
• 6 large companies or research organisations: GovSat, Intrasoft Netcompany, LuxTrust, LIST; University of Luxembourg (SnT)

Call for proposals 2024

The call for proposals for 2024 was launched and presented at the beginning of the month during the Luxembourg European Defence Fund Info Day. The deadline for submitting applications is set for 5 November 2024.

However, potential applicants must submit a one-page summary detailing their project to the Luxembourg Directorate of Defence by 1 July 2024.

During the 2024 edition of the global defence and security exhibition Eurosatory (from June 17 to 21, 2024), the Luxembourg national pavilion will also provide the opportunity to engage with key actors in the defence ecosystem.