The new Hub for EU Defence Innovation – how can small countries like Lithuania make the most out of it? Donatas Palavenis, a junior researcher at the Baltic Institute of Advanced Technology (BPTI), takes a look.
On June 1, the Hub for EU Defence Innovation (HEDI) was officially launched. The start was symbolically announced at the European Defence Innovation Day organised by the European Defence Agency (EDA), where the opening speech was given by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell.
The establishment of the HEDI was foreseen in the EU Strategic Compass for Security and Defence released in March. This document reflects other methods and measures that would strengthen EU defence and security until 2030.
The decision to establish the HEDI was taken on May 17 by the defence ministers of the member states of the EDA. Important to note, that preparatory work for the development of the HEDI started in May 2021.
Structurally, the HEDI will operate within the EDA that aims to promote innovation, collaboration and provide multifaceted benefits to its participants. It is assumed that HEDI activities would be carried out in areas that are recognised as important in the development of military capabilities, defence research and industrial development. The listed priorities are approved by all EU states participating in the activities of the EDA.
What is the HEDI’s focus?
The HEDI is expected to perform three functions that will gradually expand. The first function is to promote the need for defence innovation at the EU level. In order to implement this function, the HEDI will use the existing EDA’s resources and create interaction networks, deepening its knowledge of the situation.
The HEDI will disseminate examples of good practices in the implementation of innovations, organise and maintain interaction networks of organisations and researchers working in the field of defence innovations, and hold seminars on defence innovation topics.
The second function is to promote the introduction of innovations in the field of defence in the member states and EU institutions. To achieve this goal, current programs will be expanded, eg the Defence Innovation Prize established by the EDA which is awarded every year to the best innovators. In 2021, the Defence Innovation Prize, worth 30,000 euros, was awarded to the German Design AI and French Thales AVS/DMS companies that proposed a solution that improves the human-machine interface.
The third function, and an ambitious step which is not fully agreed upon, is to achieve that the HEDI becomes a platform at the EU level to develop all the necessary innovative capabilities.
HEDI benefits for small EU states
For companies from small EU countries, participating in HEDI activities can be useful in several aspects. First, by using the platform created by the EDA, national actors can find partners working in similar directions of innovation.
Second, the HEDI will organise thematic seminars where firms will be able to gain new knowledge or receive useful advice. Third, there will be an exchange of good practices, so it will be possible to reduce operating costs by learning from the mistakes of others.
Furthermore, there will be an opportunity, currently available, to participate in a competition for an innovation prize in several areas. Finally, there will be opportunities to participate in the announced challenge competition on a European scale.
The HEDI will be advantageous for establishing new contacts, useful for participation in other EU programs aimed at strengthening innovation in the fields of defence and security, eg, the European Defence Fund.
There is no doubt that the benefits will be proportional to the initiative shown by the entities of other EU states to make use of this tool offered by the EDA. Developers from small EU states will be able to take part in thematic innovation challenge competitions, showing their competencies and promoting their countries.
Other EU initiatives promoting innovation in defence and security
The HEDI will not be just another generous fund, but rather a platform that allows companies to find partners in shared innovation directions and participate in several instant competitions.
It will be useful for actors from small EU countries seeking funding for defence R&D activities to respond to the invitations of the European Defence Fund. The invitations for 2022 have already been published, with the total amount of funding allocated for this year close to one billion euros.
Participants must submit applications in 33 draws, which are expected until November 24. In addition to specific invitations, there is a separate invitation for small and medium-sized companies and participants offering solutions in emerging disruptive technologies.
Another EU initiative, CASSINI, is an entrepreneurial programme designed to support start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises developing space technologies. This framework helps secure financing, find partners and investors, and participate in entrepreneurship training. Various prizes are expected to be awarded every year, with thematic hackathons organised and mentors appointed according to the needs of the participants.
The European Defence Fund, like the HEDI or CASSINI, is part of the larger EU Defence Innovation Scheme. At the moment, it is not yet clear how all the innovation promotion programmes will be implemented, with more clarity expected at the beginning of autumn. About two billion euros may be allocated for activities related to the EU Defence Innovation Scheme (excluding the European Defence Fund) until 2027.
Donatas Palavenis is a junior researcher at the Baltic Institute of Advanced Technology (BPTI).
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