All items · Sensors & ISR

A dedicated EUR 20m research topic on automated air-to-air refuelling signals EU interest in enabling unmanned tanker/receiver operations, an area with few incumbents beyond Airbus and Boeing. Relevant to EO/IR and relative-navigation sensor makers, image-processing/AI firms and flight-control software SMEs in EDF-eligible states. Do: Secure a work-package in a forming consortium (approach likely EDF air-domain coordinators such as tanker or flight-control primes) and prepare your sensor-fusion/relative-navigation credentials before the 29 September 2026 submission.

A single EUR 29m award means one large consortium will effectively set the EU OTH radar network concept, and prior OTH EDF projects give incumbents (French/Italian radar houses) a head start. Relevant to HF radar, passive radar, signal-processing and radar-data-fusion specialists able to slot into a work package rather than lead. Do: Identify the consortium continuing the earlier EDF OTH radar projects and pitch a specific work package (HF antenna arrays, passive/cognitive signal processing, or multi-sensor fusion) well before the 29 September 2026 submission deadline.

A rare EDF topic where multiple smaller consortia are funded (max €4.6m each) and compete in a common live test campaign, lowering the barrier versus mega-consortium topics. Relevant to swarm autonomy, sensor-fusion and AI-vision scale-ups plus ground-robot and small-drone makers in eligible EU/Norway entities. Do: Form or join a small EDF-eligible consortium and prepare the Part B proposal plus ownership-control declarations for submission on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal by 29 September 2026.

This is the referee, not the competitor, slot: a single EUR 7m grant to set the European benchmark for swarm/AI situational-awareness evaluation, paired with the earlier AISAP-STEP topic. Relevant to test-range operators, simulation/benchmarking houses and autonomy labs with data-annotation and field-trial capability. Do: If you run test ranges, synthetic environments or benchmarking/data-annotation for autonomy, join or form a cross-border consortium and submit via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal before 29 September 2026.

Research actions are 100% funded and the SME/disruptive tracks are the realistic entry point for start-ups without a prime sponsor — but with 6 weeks left, only teams with a draft proposal should still be building consortia.

Shows DG DEFIS pushing operational uptake of all five EU Space Programme components in civil protection, with Telespazio France leading the incumbent consortium. Relevant to space data/service providers and GOVSATCOM/IRIS² application developers targeting civil protection users. Do: If you sell EO/GNSS/SATCOM-based emergency management tools, submit an expression of interest for the 6–7 October 2026 Brussels SIMEX and network with the Telespazio France-led SUNSHINE team.

This is EU money that flows through a Member State procurement agent, not to companies directly — so C-UAS sensor, effector, DE weapon and C2 vendors get in only by being the product selected in a multi-country buy. Relevant to C-UAS and VSHORAD/SHORAD suppliers with proven, EU-eligible products and existing national customer relationships. Do: Lobby your national MoD armaments directorate (or EDA/OCCAR/NSPA desk) now to have your C-UAS system included in a multi-country buy submitted before the 13 October 2026 deadline.

This is the first Swiss defence-linked innovation money open to industry at scale since the 2025 armament-policy strategy — and it is capped to Swiss-based value creation, so foreign firms only get in through a Swiss subsidiary or partner. PNT, photonics and C-UAS SMEs in Switzerland (and EU firms with Swiss operations) should treat 27 Oct as the real deadline. Do: Assemble ≥3 Swiss research partners (one must be a Fachhochschule) plus ≥2 Swiss implementation partners, use the b2match partner platform, and file the pre-proposal on Innolink before 27 Oct 2026 12:00 CET; read the 30 Jun 2026 Guide for applicants and the 1 Sep FAQ first.

This is EDIP money for factory capacity, not R&D — it pays to industrialise component lines (drone flight stacks, ESCs, RF front-ends, thermal modules, secure PCBs) that European drone and munitions ramp-ups currently import. Directly relevant to EU electronics manufacturers, PCB/substrate houses, battery and power-electronics firms and RF/EO module makers, including non-defence industrials with qualified production able to reserve capacity. Do: Download the call document from the EU Funding & Tenders Portal, check the eligible-countries and ownership/control conditions, and line up a consortium plus baselined capacity KPIs (units/month, time-to-rate, lead-time reduction) well before the 16 February 2027 deadline.

EDIP's flagship capacity topic is now open with an unusually broad product list, and it explicitly funds MaaS and dual-use industrial conversion plus site counter-UxS/cyber hardening — a rare entry point for non-traditional manufacturers. Relevant to forging/machining and composites SMEs, sub-system makers for radars, munitions and naval platforms, and C-UAS/OT-cyber vendors who can be bought in as a site-protection work package. Do: Read the EDIP call document eligibility and ownership-control rules, then pitch a specific capacity or site-protection work package to a platform prime or national industrial cluster leading a bid, well before the 16 February 2027 deadline.

This is a state-driven EDIP common-procurement instrument, not an R&D grant: money flows through a procurement agent appointed by participating states, with a EUR 80m minimum ticket for GBAD/BMD systems. Radar, seeker, interceptor, effector and C2 suppliers must position with national MoDs and the likely prime/agent rather than applying themselves. Do: Identify which Member States are grouping for AMD procurement and get your radar/effector/C2 product qualified with their national procurement authority or the appointed agent (EDA, OCCAR, NSPA) well before the 16 February 2027 deadline.

Applicants are Member States' procurement agents, not industry — money reaches C5ISR, satcom, ISR and space firms as suppliers under the resulting joint contracts or framework. Relevant for C5ISR/space payload and ground-segment suppliers who can get their product designated in a multinational buy. Do: Lobby your national armaments directorate (or EDA/OCCAR/NSPA desk officers) now to have your C5ISR/space product included in a ≥EUR 20m joint procurement package before the 16 February 2027 submission.

This is production-capacity money, not R&D: it pays to stand up joint EU–Ukraine lines, MaaS small-batch capacity and heavy-industry conversion for attritable drones and C-UAS, with KPIs on units/month and lead time. Relevant to FPV/interceptor drone makers, fibre-optic and RF-denied control specialists, C-UAS sensor/jammer suppliers and contract manufacturers with or seeking a Ukrainian industrial partner. Do: Line up a Ukrainian manufacturing partner and a consortium of ≤15 entities now, and build a proposal with baselined production KPIs (units/month, time-to-rate, lead-time cut) plus the optional EUR 200k protection WP, for submission on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal before 16 February 2027.

Six months of runway makes this the EDIP call to actually plan for — relevant to electronics/semiconductor SMEs and industrial newcomers pivoting from automotive/telecom into defence supply chains.

A mid-size civil/dual-use underwater robotics buy in an Atlantic region, won by a Spanish integrator rather than a Portuguese or northern-European ROV house — a reference point for UUV/ROV makers on who is winning Iberian research-vessel work. Relevant to ROV/UUV builders and subsea sensor, tether, manipulator and control-software suppliers. Do: If you supply subsea sensors, manipulators, tethers or ROV control software, approach OMIL & GONZALEZ SL as integrator for the Azores research-vessel ROV module build.

Signals Swiss intent to integrate external air picture feeds, which downstream implies procurement of data links, fusion and C2/air-surveillance interfaces at VBS/armasuisse. Relevant to sensor-fusion, air C2 software and secure data-link suppliers with Swiss presence or Swiss partners. Do: Track VBS/armasuisse air-defence C2 and sensor-fusion programmes on simap.ch and position early with Swiss integrators on interoperable air-picture data-link and fusion capability.

It shows UKDI's Security Open Call as a 100%-funded, non-dilutive entry route that led to a first commercial contract and prime introductions for a software SME. Relevant to computer-vision, C-UAS and autonomy software startups looking for a UK public-sector reference customer. Do: If you build edge AI, C-UAS or autonomy software, watch for the next UKDI Security Open Call cycle on gov.uk and frame your proposal around a named end-user problem (policing, Dstl, Royal Navy) as Vizgard did.

A sole-source complementary award confirms NEOTEK as the entrenched supplier of ASW training targets to the French Navy, closing this line to competitors for the contract duration. Relevant to underwater acoustics, expendable target and sonobuoy makers watching French naval training procurement. Do: Approach NEOTEK as a subcontractor for acoustic payloads, batteries or logistics support, and monitor DGA/SAA for the next competed ASW training-target requirement.

Routine civil geospatial survey work, not a defence capability buy, though it maps the incumbent aerial-mapping group for Bulgarian national imagery contracts.

The buyer is testing whether it can award "Safe Strike" directly to a single supplier, so any credible alternative provider that responds now can force an open procedure. Relevant to firms supplying aircraft mission tracking/BFT, data-link and mission-data software with client/server licensing and Italian in-country support. Do: If you supply airborne mission tracking/data-transmission systems, respond to the Comando Aviazione dell'Esercito consultation via the TED notice contact immediately, evidencing an equivalent solution to block a sole-source award.

MBDA España remains the incumbent for Spanish naval point-defence missile systems, so entry is via its Spanish supply chain rather than direct bids. Relevant to seeker, launcher, RF/EO sensor and fire-control subsystem makers with a Spanish footprint. Do: Contact MBDA España's Madrid procurement/supply-chain team about subsystem or integration work packages on this three-system Navy delivery.

A broad multi-award framework for base physical security in Spain, with 17 admitted suppliers, meaning future work comes as call-offs rather than new tenders. Relevant to perimeter security, CCTV/access-control and sensor integrators without a Spanish framework slot, who will need to subcontract to one of the named holders. Do: If you supply perimeter sensors, video analytics or access control, pitch the regional framework holders (e.g. Telefónica Defensa y Seguridad, TECOSA, Eulen Seguridad) as a subcontractor for base call-offs.

A rare 10-year physical-security services lock-in at a Czech air C2 site, confirming Trade FIDES as the incumbent integrator for MoD technical guarding. Relevant to perimeter sensor, CCTV/access-control and alarm-system makers who can only enter as subcontractors with Czech NBÚ facility clearance. Do: Approach Trade FIDES, a.s. as a cleared subsystem supplier for the Hlavenec security-technology reconstruction work package.

A recurring EU-run rapid innovation channel with a two-phase structure (selection then operational experimentation) is about to reopen with concrete topics. Relevant for drone-strike, autonomy and sensor-network scale-ups seeking EU visibility and end-user testing without a large consortium. Do: Monitor www.bravetecheu-deftechforges.eu and contact Bayern Innovativ or Romanian Space Initiative now to position for the November 2026 DefTech Forges call on UAS strike, resilient operations and sensor networks.

Recurring, multi-lot Polish Army spare-parts buying that small Polish suppliers and trading houses win repeatedly, including optics items like Rosomak periscopes. Relevant to SME machining, drivetrain and vehicle-optics suppliers wanting a foothold with Polish logistics bases. Do: Monitor 1 Regionalna Baza Logistyczna's restricted procurements on the Polish Platforma Zakupowa and register as a qualified supplier for Rosomak/BWP-1 parts and periscopes to be invited to the next round.

An early, pre-tender signal that the Dutch MoD intends to set up a multi-category UAS framework, with no incumbent named yet — the point at which requirements can still be shaped. Relevant to drone manufacturers and autonomy/payload suppliers wanting their class of system written into the lot structure. Do: Respond to the Dutch MoD market consultation via the TED notice contact/TenderNed with a capability dossier per UAS class you supply, and request a bilateral consultation session before the framework specification is fixed.

Confirms Aeromarine as the incumbent supplier of navigation radar/AIS spares for the Ferrol-based Spanish fleet, a recurring framework likely to be re-tendered. Relevant to marine radar/AIS and navigation electronics suppliers with a Spanish entity or local distributor. Do: If you supply navigation radar, AIS or bridge electronics, approach COMPUTERS Y COMUNICATIONS AEROMARINE, S.A. as a component supplier and register with Intendente de Ferrol for the next re-tender cycle.

Belgium is channelling CBRN detection procurement to Ukraine through urgent negotiated defence contracts, with a Slovak trading house rather than a prime winning Lot 1. CBRN sensor makers and integrators should note that Belgian MRMP uses fast-track awards and resellers as route to contract. Do: Contact Belgian MRMP-S/AT and SEC Trading S.R.O to position CWA/CBRN detection hardware and spares for follow-on urgent Ukraine-support lots.

First armasuisse director-level visit to Japan signals a possible new bilateral armament cooperation track focused on EW, ICT, sensor analytics and emerging-technology integration. Relevant to Swiss and European EW/sensor/autonomy firms looking for Japanese industrial partners or ATLA-funded joint technology work. Do: If you work in EW, sensor analytics or drone autonomy, ask armasuisse's international cooperation unit whether a Swiss–Japan technology cooperation framework will open joint project slots.

Confirms Lubawa as the Polish MoD's supplier for engineer mine-detection/clearance kits under a restricted defence procedure, with an option for additional quantities to be exercised within 90 days. Relevant to makers of mine detectors, demolition/EOD tools and protective engineer equipment seeking Polish-based supply routes. Do: Approach Lubawa S.A.'s procurement team as a component supplier (mine detectors, EOD tools, marking kits) ahead of the option quantities being fixed within 90 days of contract signature.

Forsvarsbygg is the recurring buyer for physical and electronic security on Norwegian military estates, and Caverion is confirmed as the installing incumbent at this value band. Relevant to access-control, CCTV, intrusion-detection and alarm-system suppliers wanting a Norwegian base-security channel. Do: Contact Caverion Norge AS as a component/subsystem supplier for base security installations and register with Forsvarsbygg's supplier qualification for future electronic security qualification rounds.

Indra remains the default integrator for Spanish air-surveillance radar site works, including civil/structural radome elements. Relevant to radome and composite-structure makers and radar site installation contractors seeking subcontract work on Spanish EVA site upgrades. Do: If you supply radomes or composite radar enclosures, approach Indra Sistemas' air surveillance systems unit as a subcontractor for the EVA-4 Roses installation and future EVA site refurbishments.

PIT-RADWAR, the OEM of these radars, retains sustainment — confirming a closed incumbent position for Polish ground-based air surveillance radar MRO. Relevant mainly to radar component/subsystem and test-equipment suppliers seeking subcontracts under PIT-RADWAR. Do: If you supply radar RF modules, spares or calibration/test services, pitch PIT-RADWAR S.A. as a sustainment subcontractor rather than bidding to 12 WOG directly.

A Polish special-forces-linked unit is buying amphibious mini-UAS from two small domestic integrators rather than a prime, showing that niche Polish resellers/integrators are the route in for this class. Relevant for mini-UAS and waterproof airframe/payload makers seeking Polish distribution partners. Do: Contact Mildat Sp. z o.o. and PARASNAKE as Polish channel partners for amphibious mini-UAS airframes or payloads, and monitor JW 4026 notices for follow-on lots.

PREXER remains the incumbent supplier of Polish optical sights to 3 RBLog, a recurring buyer of soldier optics. Relevant to optronics/sight makers seeking Polish partners, as AQAP-certified domestic supply is effectively required. Do: If you make weapon sights or optical modules, approach PREXER as a component supplier and monitor 3 Regionalna Baza Logistyczna's two-stage notices for the next CKE-1N tranche.

Indra is confirmed as the combat-system sustainment integrator for the F-100 frigates, making it the gatekeeper for subsystem MRO work under this framework. Relevant to Spanish naval electronics, radar/sonar and combat-management subsystem maintainers seeking subcontract work. Do: Pitch Indra Sistemas' naval systems sustainment unit as a subcontractor for F-100 combat-system component repair and obsolescence management.

Purely informational launch announcement confirming the Vega C/Avio and Thales Alenia Space roles in Copernicus continuity; relevant only as background for EO payload and ground-segment suppliers tracking Sentinel follow-on work.

A recurring Polish MoD procurement of optical sighting equipment, awarded to two Polish suppliers including specialist optics maker Delta Optical; relevant to soldier-systems and sensors suppliers eyeing the Polish market and its subcontracting chains.

This is a completed award for critical-site perimeter security to a Czech incumbent (TELMO a.s.), illustrating a recurring national procurement pattern for detection/camera perimeter systems under defence procurement rules; relevant mainly for physical security/infrastructure-protection suppliers tracking incumbents and potential subcontracting in the Czech market. Do: Contact TELMO a.s. or Správa Pražského hradu to explore subcontracting or future maintenance/expansion opportunities under this framework, if you supply perimeter detection or camera systems in the Czech market.