Multiple rocket launcher

EDF-2026-DA is a European Defence Fund 2026 development call with an indicative budget of €25,000,000 to support studies and design (with optional prototyping/testing/qualification) of interoperable multiple rocket launcher solutions resilient to GNSS-contested, high-intensity operations. Deadlines: call opened 11 February 2026 and proposals must be submitted via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal by 29 September 2026, 17:00 Brussels time, in a single-stage process. Eligible applicants are multi-beneficiary consortia of legal entities established in EU Member States or EDF-associated countries (minimum cross-border requirements and Member State procurement/support declarations apply), and projects involve classified information requiring compliance with EDF security instructions and facility/personnel clearances where applicable. Funding is provided as budget-based actual-cost grants with activity-specific baseline funding rates and possible SME, mid-cap and PESCO bonuses; co-financing is required for activities where the EDF contribution is capped below 100%.

Opportunity Overview — Multiple rocket launcher (EDF-2026-DA-GROUND-MRL)

What it funds

Scope and objectives

Development actions to design and study multiple rocket launcher solutions for land forces that increase range and precision, maximise interoperability and cost-effectiveness, and operate in high-intensity and GNSS-contested scenarios. Eligible activities include studies, design and related upstream/downstream development tasks (system prototyping/testing/qualification may be possible if specified).

Indicative budget:€25,000,000 allocated to this topic within the EDF-2026-DA call; several proposals may be funded ¹.

Who can apply

Consortia of legal entities established in eligible EDF countries (EU Member States and EDF-associated countries such as Norway). Multi-beneficiary proposals are mandatory for this topic; beneficiaries, affiliated entities and subcontractors must be established in eligible countries and follow EDF ownership/control provisions. Participation by non-associated third-country entities is restricted and may require national guarantees.

Eligibility highlights:Applicants must be legal entities with executive management in an EDF-eligible country; consortium must meet EDF rules on cross-border composition, SME/mid-cap bonuses and possible PESCO bonus. Security and facility/personnel clearance requirements apply for classified work and certain deliverables.

How it is funded and administrated

This is an EDF Development Action grant implemented via actual-cost (budget-based) grants. Funding rates depend on the type of activity (studies, design, prototyping, testing, etc.) and may be increased by bonuses (SME, mid-cap, PESCO, cross-border SME). Standard EDF rules on cost eligibility, reporting, audit, IPR, security (PSI) and co-financing apply.

1. 1Call type: EDF-2026-DA — Development actions (actual-cost grants).
2. 2Opening date: 11 February 2026; Deadline: 29 September 2026, 17:00 Brussels time.
3. 3Project start and duration: set in the grant agreement; follow Annexes and call document.
4. 4Security: PSI and possible Facility/Personnel Security Clearances required for classified work; follow the EDF Programme Security Instruction.

Applicants must read the full call documentation and templates in the Funding & Tenders Portal before preparing proposals; the call includes mandatory annexes (application form templates, detailed budget tables, declarations) and EDF-specific security and ownership requirements. See the official topic page and call documents for full requirements and funding rules Topic page. ¹

Footnotes

1. 1Call document, annexes and templates are available on the Portal topic page: EDF-2026-DA — Development actions implemented via actual cost grants, including full eligibility, evaluation and security provisions.

European Defence Fund (EDF) 2026 — Multiple rocket launcher system (EDF-2026-DA-GROUND-MRL)

Opportunity Type: Call for Proposals — Development actions implemented via actual cost grants. Programme: European Defence Fund (EDF) Work Programme 2026, with STEP contribution in the defence technologies area. Topic ID: EDF-2026-DA. Opening date: 11 February 2026. Deadline: 29 September 2026 at 17:00 Brussels time. Deadline model: Single-stage. Submission: via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal Electronic Submission Service EDF-2026-DA-GROUND-MRL topic page.

Topic scope and objectives

Scope: The topic aims to develop multiple rocket launcher (MRL) solutions that counter latest threats by increasing range and precision of indirect fire, maximising interoperability, and optimising cost-effectiveness of operations in high-intensity and GNSS-contested battle scenarios. It addresses the urgent need to modernise European indirect fire and rocket artillery capabilities as many land forces rely on non-European systems approaching end of life. The topic contributes to the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP) objectives in defence technologies.

Targeted types of activities: Studies and design, not excluding additional eligible upstream and downstream development action activities as per EDF Regulation for Development Actions. Indicative budget for the topic: €25,000,000. Indicative number of proposals to be funded: Several.

Key dates, call mechanics and budget context

• Opening: 11 February 2026
• Deadline: 29 September 2026, 17:00 Brussels time (single-stage submission and evaluation)
• Total annual envelope across listed EDF-2026-DA topics: €422,000,000
• Topic budget: €25,000,000 for EDF-2026-DA

Submission is through the EU Funding & Tenders Portal. The correct type of action and model grant agreement to select are: EDF Development Actions [EDF-DA], EDF Action Grant Budget-Based [EDF-AG].

Who can apply and how projects must be structured

Eligibility of participants and geographic scope

Beneficiaries, affiliated entities, and subcontractors involved in the action must be legal entities established in an EU Member State or an EDF associated country. For EDF 2026, Norway is the associated country. Executive management structures must be located in the EU or an associated country for beneficiaries, affiliated entities and subcontractors involved in the action. Associated partners that do not meet these conditions may participate exceptionally, without EDF funding, under strict safeguards and if agreed by the granting authority.

Consortium requirements

EDF Development Actions are collaborative. Multi-beneficiary applications are mandatory for this topic and must comply with EDF consortium composition rules. As a rule, EDF requires a consortium of at least three eligible entities established in at least three different EU Member States or associated countries. For specific activity types, Member State support and coordination conditions apply (see below).

Activity-specific Member State support conditions

• Design activities (Article 10(3)(d) EDF Regulation): Must be based on harmonised defence capability requirements jointly agreed by at least two Member States or EDF associated countries (or at minimum a joint intent to agree on them).
• System prototyping, testing, qualification, certification (Article 10(3)(e)–(h)): Must be supported by at least two Member States or EDF associated countries that intend to procure the final product or to jointly use the technology in a coordinated manner; and must be based on common technical specifications jointly agreed by those Member States or associated countries (or at minimum a joint intent to agree on them).

Funding model and co-funding rules

EDF Development Actions use a mixed actual-cost grant model with baseline funding rates by activity and possible bonuses (PESCO, SME, mid-cap). Applicants must compute due rates in the Detailed Budget Table; the portal will display 100% for technical reasons, but the EDF cap per activity applies.

Bonuses: PESCO +10 percentage points when applicable; SME bonus depends on share of eligible costs allocated to SMEs (with additional multiplier for cross-border SMEs); mid-cap bonus +10 percentage points when the ≥15% threshold is met. WP1 Project management and coordination must always use the Studies rate.

Equipment cost eligibility under EDF-2026-DA: Depreciation applies by default, but for this topic the call permits depreciation and full cost for listed equipment when explicitly allowed in the grant agreement annexes.

Co-funding: Because prototyping and downstream activities are capped below 100%, applicants planning (e)–(h) activities must secure co-financing. A mandatory Co-financing Declaration template is required at submission and must be confirmed during grant preparation. The declaration must detail amount, form of co-financing, timeline/process and expected IPR-related return for the co-financer.

What projects should deliver and technology expectations

Deliverables should contribute to European MRL solutions that extend range and precision, enhance survivability and effectiveness in GNSS-contested environments, and drive interoperability and cost-effective operations in high-intensity warfare. The solutions should address European strategic autonomy by reducing dependency on non-European systems and align with harmonised capability needs of Member States. Typical outputs under Studies and Design include operational scenarios and use-cases, system and interface definitions for interoperable architecture, performance metrics and measures of effectiveness, trade-off and feasibility analyses (including SWaP-C), roadmaps, and concept designs that enable subsequent prototyping, testing, qualification and certification.

Evaluation, award, security and legal set-up

• Admissibility: Proposal page limits and layout as per Part B template; follow the zip encryption guidance (single password-protected ZIP using AES-256).
• Eligibility: As per Section 6 of the Call Fiche and EDF Regulation 2021/697.
• Evaluation procedure and award criteria: Single-stage submission and evaluation; detailed scoring and thresholds in Section 9 of the Call Fiche. Priority order for same scores set in Section 8.
• Timeline: Indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement per Section 4 of the Call Fiche.
• MGA: EDF, ASAP and EDIRPA Model Grant Agreements apply. Budget-based action grant with Annex 2e for complex funding rates when applicable.
• Security: Proposals invited to grant preparation undergo security scrutiny; Programme Security Instruction (PSI) applies for handling EU classified information, with specific PSI model selected per project needs.
• Financial capacity: Checked at grant preparation; start-ups may be eligible with proportional assessment. Operational capacity assessed via key staff and relevant track record.

Application package and mandatory templates

• Standard application form (EDF) — completed online (Part A) and narrative (Part B) uploaded as a single AES-256-encrypted ZIP.
• Detailed budget table (EDF DA).
• Participant information (EDF) — for all beneficiaries, affiliated entities, subcontractors involved in the action, associated partners.
• List of infrastructure, facilities, assets and resources (EDF) — with precise locations and FSC status where needed.
• Cofinancing declaration (EDF DA, DA LS and ASAP) — mandatory at submission.
• Actual indirect cost methodology declaration (EDF DA) — required for applicants opting for actual indirect costs, including national authority confirmation.
• Harmonised capability requirements declaration (EDF DA and DA LS) — required for design activities; if studies are also planned, harmonised requirements must be submitted before design starts.
• Declaration on procurement intent and common technical specifications (EDF DA and DA LS) — for projects with prototyping/testing/qualification/certification; intent must be from at least two Member States or associated countries.
• Ownership control declaration and, where relevant, ownership control guarantee and competent authority approval.
• PRS declaration (EDF) — only if access to Galileo PRS information is needed.

All templates and the call document are available via the topic page and Reference Documents library. See the EDF-2026-DA Call Fiche for the authoritative conditions, annexes and award criteria EDF-2026-DA Call Fiche PDF.

Financial support to third parties (FSTP)

FSTP is allowed under EDF-2026-DA topics, within set ceilings and with conditions defined in Annex 4 of the Call Fiche. If used, describe the scope, eligible activities, target groups, selection criteria and amounts per third party in Part B, and budget associated organisation costs under standard categories. The maximum per recipient is set in the data sheet of the grant agreement and call conditions.

Categorisation and structured extraction

Eligible Applicant Types:SMEs, mid-caps and large enterprises in defence and dual-use industries; system integrators and prime contractors; technology developers; research and technology organisations; universities; nonprofit research bodies. Public authorities are not beneficiaries but provide required Member State support letters, capability declarations and procurement intent. Subcontractors and associated partners may include test ranges, standardisation bodies and specialised labs meeting EDF eligibility and security conditions.

Funding Type:Grant (budget-based action grant under EDF Development Actions), reimbursing eligible actual costs per EDF rates per activity, with possible bonuses and specific equipment-cost options.

Consortium Requirement:Consortium required. Multi-beneficiary applications are mandatory with minimum EDF consortium composition rules (typically at least three eligible entities from at least three different EU/associated countries). Additional Member State support requirements apply for design and any downstream prototyping/testing/qualification/certification.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility):EU Member States and EDF associated countries (currently Norway). Executive management structures for beneficiaries, affiliated entities and subcontractors involved in the action must be in the EU or an associated country. Entities from non-associated third countries may only participate as associated partners without EDF funding, subject to guarantees and approval.

Target Sector:Defence, ground combat systems and indirect fire artillery; munitions and effectors; command, control, communications; navigation warfare resilience and operations in GNSS-contested environments; interoperability and standardisation; systems engineering for MRL platforms and integration.

Mentioned Countries:EU Member States (region). Norway (as EDF associated country). Ukraine is referenced in general EDF FAQs as ineligible as a beneficiary but potentially an associated partner without funding; proposals must comply with EDF eligibility and security rules.

Project Stage:Primarily design-oriented development with mandatory Studies and Design; topic does not exclude eligible upstream or downstream development activities. Follow-on projects may include prototyping, testing, qualification and certification with appropriate Member State commitments.

Funding Amount:Indicative budget for the topic: €25,000,000. Several proposals may be funded. Actual grant sizes depend on scope, activities and budget availability within the topic envelope.

Application Type:Open call, single-stage submission and evaluation via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal.

Nature of Support:Money (grants reimbursing eligible actual costs). Optional non-financial support includes business coaching for successful SME beneficiaries under EDF.

Application Stages:1 stage (single-stage). Applicants submit full proposals by the deadline; evaluation and grant preparation follow the timeline in the call document.

Success Rates:Not published for this topic in the call documentation.

Co-funding Requirement:Yes, for activities where EDF caps funding below 100% (e.g., prototyping capped at 55%, testing/qualification/certification capped at 80%). Studies and design can reach up to 100% with bonuses. A co-financing declaration is mandatory at submission and must be confirmed during grant preparation, including amount, form, timeline and expected IPR-related return for the co-financer.

Templates and structure of the application

• Part A (online forms): Administrative data, participants, budget, declarations, ethics and security tables.
• Part B (narrative): Technical description structured into Excellence and potential of disruption; Innovation and technological development; Competitiveness; EDTIB autonomy; Creation of new cross-border cooperation; Lifecycle efficiency; Member State cooperation; Implementation (work plan, WPs, resources, timetable, consortium set-up, management, risk, communication/dissemination); Other (ethics, security); Declarations.
• Annex 1 to Part B: Detailed budget table/calculator.
• Special annexes where applicable: Security documents per PSI, PRS declaration, ownership control documentation, co-financing, harmonised capability and procurement intent declarations.

Key annex templates are accessible from the topic page and include Participant Information, List of infrastructure/facilities/assets/resources, Co-financing Declaration, Actual indirect cost methodology declaration with national authority confirmation, Harmonised Defence Capability Requirements Declaration, Declaration on Procurement Intent and Common Technical Specifications, Ownership control guarantee and approval by competent authority, and PRS declaration where relevant.

Important compliance points and operational rules

• Security and classification: Follow the EDF Programme Security Instruction (PSI). Classified deliveries follow SAL and SCG requirements; site/personnel clearances may be needed depending on classification level.
• Eligibility of costs: Actual costs per EDF MGA; equipment typically depreciated unless authorised as full cost for listed items in the grant; indirects at 25% flat-rate by default or actuals with national acceptance. VAT deductible or refundable is ineligible.
• Subcontracting: Must follow best value for money and no conflict of interest; certain tasks cannot be subcontracted; work package leadership reserved to beneficiaries and affiliated entities; associated partners and subcontractors cannot lead WPs.
• Ownership and IPR: Results belong to the consortium; IPR arrangements must be set in the Consortium Agreement; ensure non-dependence on third-country control and compliance with export/transfer controls.
• SME and mid-cap bonuses: Count only if entities have a valid PIC and positive SME/mid-cap self-assessment for current and previous two years in the Participant Register.
• Business coaching: Successful SME beneficiaries may receive EDF business coaching.
• FSTP: If used, define ceiling per recipient, selection criteria, eligible activities and management processes in Part B and Annex 4.

Support, Q&A and partner search

• Official topic page (submission, templates, Q&As, partner search) EDF-2026-DA-GROUND-MRL topic page.
• Call document and annexes library EDF-2026-DA Call Fiche PDF.
• Programme information, tutorials and info days EDF overview and resources.
• Helpdesk: DEFIS-EDF-PROPOSALS@ec.europa.eu, Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual and IT Helpdesk.
• National Focal Points (NFPs) can guide applicants and facilitate consortium building.

Long-form summary and explanation

This EDF topic funds collaborative European development of multiple rocket launcher systems that deliver extended range and precision, resilient operation in GNSS-contested environments, and high interoperability and cost-effectiveness in intense combat. The call primarily targets Studies and Design, enabling consortiums to produce operational scenarios, capability requirements, trade-off analyses, system definitions and interoperable architectures for next-generation MRL capabilities. While the topic emphasises early development phases, it does not exclude eligible upstream and downstream activities per EDF rules; any inclusion of prototyping, testing, qualification or certification will trigger Member State support requirements, procurement intents and shared technical specifications agreed by at least two Member States or Norway. Proposals must be submitted by multi-country consortia of eligible EU or associated entities through the Funding & Tenders Portal in a single stage. Funding is provided as an EDF Development Action grant with activity-specific funding caps and bonuses; therefore, co-financing is necessary for downstream activities where the EDF contribution does not reach 100%. The package requires standard EDF templates including participant and infrastructure lists, a co-financing declaration, and, when applicable, declarations on harmonised capability requirements, procurement intent, actual indirect costs methodology, ownership control guarantees and PRS access. Security compliance follows the EDF Programme Security Instruction and related SAL/SCG instruments. Successful projects will strengthen EU strategic autonomy by reducing reliance on non-European artillery systems, unify technical approaches for interoperability, and prepare European industry and armed forces for rapid adoption and joint procurement of next-generation MRL solutions.

Footnotes

1. 1Authoritative conditions, funding rates by activity, eligibility, evaluation and legal-financial set-up are detailed in the EDF-2026-DA Call Fiche and the EDF, ASAP and EDIRPA Model Grant Agreement. See Call Fiche: EDF-2026-DA Call Fiche PDF and MGA: EDF/ASAP/EDIRPA Model Grant Agreement.

European Defence Fund 2026 - Multiple Rocket Launcher Development Call

Executive Summary

The EDF-2026-DA call seeks to develop sovereign European multiple rocket launcher solutions addressing urgent Member State capability needs. With an indicative budget of €25 million and a deadline of 29 September 2026, this development action supports the creation of interoperable, cost-effective indirect fire systems capable of operating in high-intensity, GNSS-contested environments. The initiative is strategically aligned with European Defence Fund priorities to reduce Member State reliance on non-European systems and strengthen the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base.

Opportunity Overview

Call Identifier:EDF-2026-DA

Programme:European Defence Fund Development Actions 2026

Type of Action:Development Actions implemented via actual cost grants

Opening Date:11 February 2026

Submission Deadline:29 September 2026 at 17:00 Brussels time

Submission Model:Single-stage submission process

Strategic Context and Objectives

The call addresses a critical capability gap in European armed forces. Many Member States have been relying on non-European multiple rocket launcher systems that are approaching the end of their operational life. Against this geopolitical backdrop, the EDF-2026-DA call aims to develop multiple rocket launcher solutions capable of countering the latest threats by increasing the range and precision of indirect fire while maximising interoperability across Member States and optimising cost-effectiveness of operations in high-intensity and GNSS-contested battle scenarios.

The call explicitly contributes to Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP) objectives in the target investment area of defence technologies. It directly supports Member State defence capability priorities commonly agreed within the Common Foreign and Security Policy framework and reflects the Capability Development Plan priorities. The initiative is designed to strengthen European technological sovereignty, reduce strategic dependencies, and foster cross-border industrial cooperation across the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base.

Funding Information

Indicative Budget for This Topic:€25,000,000

Total 2026 EDF Development Actions Budget:€676,099,033 across all development action topics

Total EDF 2026 Budget:€1,005,978,500 (combining development actions and research actions)

Number of Proposals to be Funded:Several proposals may be funded for this topic

Funding Rate Structure:Complex funding rates apply based on activity type and participant bonuses. Baseline rates: Studies 90%, Design 65%, System Prototyping 20%, Testing 45%. Bonuses available for PESCO projects (up to 10% additional), SME participation (up to 5% for non-cross-border SMEs, up to 10% for cross-border SMEs), and mid-cap participation (up to 10%). Maximum funding rate with all bonuses applied is capped at 100%.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible Participants

• Legal entities established in EU Member States or EDF associated countries (currently Norway)
• Executive management structure must be located in EU Member States or associated countries
• Beneficiaries, affiliated entities, and subcontractors involved in the action must be EU-based
• Non-EU entities may participate as associated partners but cannot receive funding and must not compromise EU security or defence interests
• Participants must comply with ownership and control requirements

Consortium Requirements

Multi-beneficiary applications are mandatory for this topic. The minimum consortium requirement specifies at least three eligible entities from at least two EU Member States or associated countries must participate as beneficiaries. Consortia must comprise entities with appropriate expertise, resources, and complementary capabilities to successfully implement the development action. All beneficiaries are jointly and severally responsible for implementing the action and complying with grant agreement obligations.

Harmonised Defence Capability Requirements

Projects addressing design activities must be based on harmonised defence capability requirements jointly agreed by at least two Member States or EDF associated countries. Alternatively, if capability requirements still need to be defined, proposals must demonstrate joint intent to agree on them. This requirement ensures that developed solutions address commonly identified Member State needs and facilitate subsequent procurement and operational deployment.

Procurement Intent and Common Technical Specifications

Projects addressing prototyping, testing, qualification, or certification activities must be supported by at least two Member States or associated countries that intend to procure the final product or use the technology in a coordinated manner, including through joint procurement. These supporting Member States must jointly agree on common technical specifications, or if design work is still required, must demonstrate joint intent to agree on such specifications. This requirement ensures market viability and operational interoperability of delivered systems.

Eligible Activities and Types of Work

This development action call supports studies and design as mandatory activities, with prototyping, testing, qualification, and certification available as optional activities. The scope targets development of multiple rocket launcher solutions through studies and feasibility analysis, conceptual and detailed design, system prototyping to technology readiness level 6 or higher, comprehensive testing in representative environments, and qualification against specified defence requirements.

Mandatory Activities

• Studies: Feasibility assessments, threat analysis, operational concept development, requirements definition, and architectural studies for multiple rocket launcher systems capable of high-intensity operation
• Design: Development of system architecture, integration of subsystems, technical specification documentation, and design of solutions optimised for interoperability, mobility, and GNSS-contested environment operation

Optional Activities

• System Prototyping: Construction of functional prototypes demonstrating key capabilities in operational or representative environments
• Testing: Comprehensive testing of launcher systems, ammunition integration, firing accuracy, mobility, and command and control system functionality
• Qualification: Demonstrating that prototypes meet specified defence requirements through objective testing evidence
• Certification: Obtaining national authority certification of compliance with applicable military standards and regulations

Functional Requirements and Expected Outcomes

Proposed solutions must deliver multiple rocket launcher systems capable of significantly increased range and precision compared to existing European systems. Systems must demonstrate enhanced interoperability between Member State forces and standardised interfaces enabling integration with NATO joint fires networks. Solutions must show cost-effectiveness through optimised production and lifecycle costs, operational efficiency in high-intensity scenarios, and resilience in GNSS-denied or contested environments. Technical specifications must address rapid deployment timelines, integrated command and control capabilities, ammunition standardisation, and logistical sustainability across Member State forces.

Key Deliverables and Milestones

Proposals must define clear deliverables and milestones aligned with the project work plan. Expected deliverables include comprehensive feasibility studies, detailed design documentation with technical specifications, security classification guides, prototypes with test data, qualification reports demonstrating defence requirement compliance, and technical documentation supporting Member State procurement decisions. Projects must establish measurable performance indicators and define success criteria for each development phase.

Project Duration and Timeline

The call does not specify a fixed project duration, allowing flexibility for consortia to propose timelines appropriate to their technical approach and workload. Proposals should present realistic implementation schedules reflecting the complexity of multiple rocket launcher system development, including time for iterative design, prototype construction, testing campaigns, and potential qualification activities. Project duration should enable delivery of functional demonstrators capable of transitioning to Member State procurement and operational deployment within reasonable timeframes.

Conditions and Special Requirements

Security and Classified Information

This call involves classified information requiring compliance with the EDF Programme Security Instruction. Beneficiaries and subcontractors must establish appropriate facility security clearances and personnel security clearances as required to handle classified defence information. Projects will generate classified foreground information subject to originatorship determination by Member States on whose territory beneficiaries are established. Beneficiaries must implement comprehensive information security measures including restricted access to classified materials, secure storage and transmission procedures, and compliance with national and EU security regulations.

Equipment Cost Eligibility

For this topic, equipment costs may be declared using depreciation and full cost for listed equipment option. This enables beneficiaries to claim full acquisition costs for specialised equipment developed or purchased specifically for the action, subject to proper documentation and justification. Standard depreciation applies to general-use equipment, while full capitalised costs apply to action-specific equipment when appropriately classified.

Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP)

This topic permits financial support to third parties through cascade funding mechanisms within specified ceilings. FSTP enables beneficiaries to engage smaller companies, startups, and specialised technology providers in addressing specific innovation challenges. Maximum amounts per recipient and eligible activity types must comply with call conditions. FSTP implementation requires objective selection procedures, transparent criteria, and demonstration of beneficiary supervision and quality assurance.

Co-financing Requirements

Supporting Member States and EDF associated countries must provide co-financing declarations confirming their financial and procurement commitments for the project. Co-financing may be provided through national defence budgets, direct financial contributions, or procurement contracts. All co-financing must be declared with confirmed timelines and status. Beneficiaries must ensure that co-financing arrangements are documented through mandatory co-financing declaration templates signed by authorised representatives with specified payment schedules.

Application Process and Submission

Submission Portal:EU Funding and Tenders Portal (Funding & Tenders Portal)

Application Form:Standard EDF Application Form with Part A (structured administrative data) and Part B (technical narrative). Part B must be submitted as a single password-protected encrypted ZIP archive using AES-256 encryption

Page Limits for Part B:Specified in call document; minimum font size Arial 9 points; margins minimum 15mm; excess pages will be disregarded by evaluators

Required Annexes:Detailed budget table, participant information forms, list of infrastructures and resources, co-financing declarations, ownership control declarations, harmonised capability requirements declarations, procurement intent declarations, and security-related documentation

Pre-Submission Guidance

• EDF Info Days scheduled for March 2026 will provide guidance on application procedures, evaluation criteria, and best practices
• National Focal Points designated by Member States can provide country-specific advice and support
• Detailed tutorials and webinars covering budget preparation, cost eligibility, SME assessment, and submission procedures are available on the EDF website
• Helpdesk support available at DEFIS-EDF-PROPOSALS@ec.europa.eu for proposal-related queries

Evaluation and Award Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated against published award criteria assessing excellence, innovation potential, disruption capability, competitiveness, EDTIB autonomy impact, cross-border cooperation, lifecycle efficiency, and implementation quality. Evaluation will consider technical soundness, industrial viability, interoperability with Member State systems, cost-effectiveness, project management capacity, and alignment with European defence priorities and STEP objectives.

Key Evaluation Dimensions

• Excellence and innovation potential: Groundbreaking concepts, novel technological approaches, and disruptive defence applications
• Competitiveness: Cost-effectiveness, performance advantages over existing systems, and market uptake potential
• EDTIB autonomy: Contribution to European strategic autonomy, security of supply, and reduced third-country dependencies
• Cross-border cooperation: New partnerships, SME and mid-cap engagement, and European industrial collaboration
• Implementation quality: Realistic work plans, adequate resourcing, capable project management, and risk mitigation strategies

Expected Outcomes and Impact

Successful projects should deliver European-developed multiple rocket launcher solutions with enhanced range, precision, and interoperability characteristics. Anticipated impact includes strengthened European technological sovereignty in indirect fire systems, reduced Member State reliance on non-European suppliers, enhanced operational interoperability across Member State forces, and cost-efficient defence capability development through collaborative industrial efforts. Projects should contribute to integration of the European defence market through standardised systems and common procurement approaches.

Critical Dates and Milestones

• EDF Info Days: March 2026 in Brussels and online
• Call Opening: 11 February 2026
• Call Deadline: 29 September 2026 at 17:00 Brussels time
• Evaluation Period: Autumn 2026
• Grant Agreement Signature Target: Early 2027
• Project Implementation Start: Typically within 2-3 months of grant agreement signature

Risk Considerations and Compliance

Applicants should address security and defence interests safeguards, including verification that no results will be subject to control or restriction by non-associated third countries. Projects must comply with international law, EU regulations on lethal autonomous weapons, intellectual property protection, data protection (GDPR), and ethical standards. Beneficiaries must maintain security clearances, handle classified information appropriately, and implement robust conflict-of-interest management procedures. Financial and operational capacity assessments will verify beneficiary ability to execute complex multinational defence projects.

Contact and Further Information

EDF Proposals Support:DEFIS-EDF-PROPOSALS@ec.europa.eu

Portal IT Helpdesk:Contact through EU Funding & Tenders Portal for technical submission issues

National Focal Points:Member States and associated countries nominate national focal points providing country-specific guidance and support to potential applicants

Official Documentation:Call documents, application forms, and guidance available at EU Funding & Tenders Portal and EDF Official Webpage

Summary

The EDF-2026-DA call represents a significant opportunity for European defence contractors, research institutions, and SMEs to participate in the development of a strategically important sovereign European multiple rocket launcher capability. With €25 million available and strong Member State support for multiple rocket launcher modernisation across Europe, the call attracts substantial industrial interest from consortia spanning multiple Member States. Success requires strong technical capability, demonstrated defence industry experience, robust project management, established Member State procurement commitments, and commitment to European industrial collaboration and interoperability standards. Applicants are encouraged to engage with national focal points and EDF support services early to develop competitive proposals aligned with Member State capability priorities and European defence policy objectives.

Footnotes

1. 1The European Defence Fund 2021-2027 total budget of €7.3 billion comprises €2.7 billion for collaborative defence research and €5.3 billion for collaborative capability development, with 2026 allocation of approximately €1 billion structured across development actions and research actions according to approved annual work programmes.