Media: Estonia boosts defence innovation with over $970,000 for local firms

The Estonian Defence Ministry has selected three local companies to lead pan-European defence consortia, allocating 900,000 euros ($975,202) in co-financing to support their innovative projects.

The projects focus on the development of airstrike munitions and the protection of critical underwater infrastructure, Caliber.Az reports, citing Estonian media.

The three companies chosen for this initiative are Defsecintel Solutions OÜ, Threod Systems OÜ, and Frankenburg Technologies. Defsecintel Solutions will spearhead the project aimed at safeguarding critical underwater infrastructure, while Threod Systems and Frankenburg Technologies will coordinate separate consortia focused on developing airstrike munitions, with plans for mass production.

In collaboration with these companies, the Defence Ministry has signed cooperation agreements to assist in preparing their proposals for submission to the European Defense Fund. The ministry’s co-financing of 900,000 euros is contingent upon the companies securing funding from the European Defense Fund in the 2025 application round, with results expected by summer 2025. 

The European Defense Fund offers funding opportunities for European defence companies and research institutions. Applications for this year’s 1 billion euro funding round are open from February to mid-October. This funding will support a variety of defence projects across Europe, with Estonian companies encouraged to apply for additional support from the Defence Ministry. The application deadline is expected to be in late summer or early autumn. 

Launched in 2021, the European Defense Fund is a European Union initiative designed to strengthen defence capabilities and promote collaboration between member states. Through the fund, the EU is investing around 8 billion euros in defence research and development from 2021 to 2027. This funding mechanism supports hundreds of projects aimed at bolstering Europe’s defence industry.

By Naila Huseynova