Skip to content
Adopted text

Programme for agile and rapid defence innovation (AGILE)

TA-10-2026-0320 · P10_TA(2026)0320 · PE790.018

Official HTML ↗ PDF DOCX
✦ In shortFull text
✦ In short · AI summary of this text, generated 7 Oct 2026

Written by a language model from the full text only; every figure comes from the text. The paragraph links open the paragraph a statement rests on — check the text itself before relying on it.

Parliament's position at first reading on a proposed regulation establishing the Programme for agile and rapid defence innovation (AGILE), running from 1 January 2027 to 31 December 2027 with an indicative envelope of EUR 115 000 000. The Programme supports small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) developing emerging and disruptive defence products, with fast award procedures, lump-sum grants and up to 100% of eligible costs. Only entities established in the Union or an associated third country, not controlled by non-associated third countries, may receive funding; an inducement intervention can temporarily suspend that rule. The text amends Regulations (EU) 2024/795 and (EU) 2026/467 and sets rules on eligibility, award criteria, ownership of results, classified information and evaluation.

Key points

  1. Establishes the Programme for agile and rapid defence innovation for 1 January 2027 to 31 December 2027, with an indicative financial envelope of EUR 115 000 000 in current prices.
  2. Aims to help SMEs, including start-ups and scale-ups, innovate rapidly and deliver emerging and disruptive defence products, and to increase their uptake by Member States, associated third countries and prime contractors.
  3. Allows additional financial or non-financial contributions from Member States, Union institutions, third countries and others, and lets Member States transfer shared-management resources to the Programme.
  4. Opens the Programme to members of the European Free Trade Association that are in the European Economic Area and to Ukraine; Ukraine is not required to contribute financially.
  5. Restricts funding to entities established in the Union or an associated third country, with executive management there, not controlled by non-associated third countries, and with infrastructure and assets located there for the action's duration.
  6. Excludes actions already fully financed elsewhere, actions prohibited by international law, lethal autonomous weapons without meaningful human control, and cluster munitions.
  7. Funds rapid development of defence products, market uptake, field testing and demonstrations, relocation of entities to the Union or associated third countries, and support such as qualification, certification and skills development.
  8. Sets award criteria on disruptive potential, proposal quality and defence impact, including cost-efficiency, speed of delivery and cybersecurity resilience.
  9. Allows accelerated and simplified award procedures based on preliminary evaluation and self-declarations, with final evaluation completed within four months of the application deadline and payment only after it.
  10. Permits an inducement intervention that temporarily suspends establishment rules, with no pre-financing, recovery of funds if criteria are not met, and a limited share of the Programme budget.
  11. Allows grants to cover costs incurred up to three months before the call closes, favours lump sums and financing not linked to costs, and permits up to 100% of eligible costs.
  12. Requires the Commission to report by 1 July 2028 on SME participation, geographical and thematic distribution, expenditure, effectiveness of award procedures and uptake of funded products.

Who is affected

  • SMEs, start-ups and scale-ups in defence innovation: can receive grants, lump sums and fast-track support.
  • Member States and associated third countries: their armed forces and industries are the intended users of the funded products.
  • Prime contractors, system integrators and first-tier subcontractors: expected to take up SME-developed products and join matchmaking.
  • Ukraine: may participate as an associated third country without contributing financially.
  • Entities controlled by non-associated third countries: excluded from funding, except under a temporary inducement intervention.

Figures and deadlines

  • EUR 115 000 000: indicative financial envelope for the Programme.
  • 1 January 2027 to 31 December 2027: period of the Programme.
  • Up to 100%: maximum share of eligible costs the Programme may finance.
  • Three months: maximum period before the call closes in which costs may have been incurred and remain eligible.
  • Four months: deadline after the application deadline for completing the final evaluation.
  • Three years: period after final payment during which transfers of ownership or exclusive licences to non-associated third countries need notification and approval.
  • 1 July 2028: deadline for the Commission's evaluation report.

Legal basis: Article 173(3) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.