Mid-term review of the European Defence Fund (EDF)
The ministers of defence and economic affairs presented an appreciation of progress and developments in the European Defence Fund (EDF) to the House of Representatives on 18 August.
The cabinet appreciation speaks with appreciation of the activities of the European Defence Fund and its effectiveness and efficiency. In doing so, the ministers emphasise maintaining the success rate of non-thematic appeals because of the involvement of organisations with little or no previous activity in the defence domain.
It is not clear to the working group why, on the one hand, ministers encourage the European Commission to keep the engagement of dual-use companies as a spearhead while, on the other hand, they raise concerns about the involvement of organisations with little or no previous involvement in the defence domain. Indeed, regardless of their previous involvement in the defence domain, all dual-use companies should be given opportunities, provided they meet the conditions.
Our working group further believes that ministers are ignoring a number of developments in research, development and product development that call for adaptation of the EDF. There is now an opportunity to implement changes in time for the start of the Commission's next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) in 2027.
Here are the four points:
1. Within the EDF instrument, innovation should be possible in weeks instead of a 5-year cycle.
2. The efficiency and effectiveness of EDF projects would be greatly improved if the number of participating companies in a consortium is limited.
3. The European Commission should encourage or even require long-term cooperation of industry, knowledge institutes and governments in knowledge networks and clusters.
4. More Dutch experts should be available to assess EDF project proposals.
Follow this link for the full opinion.
KIVI Defence and Security
28 August 2025
