Context · DG DEFIS · EU
BraveTechEU DefTech Forges: local organisers confirmed for November 2026 cycle
DG DEFIS — Defence Industry & Space (EC) · published 07 Aug 2026 · · Source ↗
Deadline—
Budget / value—
Statusforthcoming
Consortiumnot required
Why it matters
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 this: 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.
Route: grant application · For: BD / bid leads at defence-tech scale-upsEstablished SME suppliers & subsystem makers
Summary
DG DEFIS announced that Bayern Innovativ and Romanian Space Initiative will act as Local Organisers for the next BraveTechEU DefTech Forges cycle in November 2026. The call for applicants will open shortly, with topics including UAS strike capabilities, resilient operations and sensor networks. Winners of the June 2026 first cycle are preparing Phase II campaigns during an OPEX in Portugal.
Source text (raw, may be non-English)
We are pleased to onboard the Local Organisers for this upcoming DefTechForges While the winning companies of the first BraveTechEU DefTech Forges cycle from June are prepare for their Phase II campaign during the OPEX in Portugal, preparations are already underway for the next DefTech Forges cycle in November 2026. We are pleased to onboard the Local Organisers for this upcoming cycle: two partners with an established track record in operating defence-related innovation events and deep embedding into their respective regional ecosystems: Bayern Innovativ and Romanian Space Initiative. With these two Local Organizers onboard the next call for applicants will open shortly, focusing on topics including UAS strike capabilities, resilient operations, and sensor networks among others. Be sure toe follow the initiative website at www.bravetecheu-deftechforges.eu Publication date 2 August 2026 Author Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space
Related
Funding call
UKDI
· UK
· deadline 17 Sep 2026 (31d)
· €702k
Dstl is seeding low-TRL autonomy ideas with small, fast contracts and a signalled £600k Phase 2 follow-on, a low-barrier entry point into UK MOD autonomy work. Relevant to autonomy/robotics research teams and university-linked startups; note Stage 1 has already closed, so only invited applicants can now submit. Do: If invited at Stage 1, submit your Stage 2 proposal via the UKDI Online Submission Service before midday 17 September 2026; otherwise watch for the Phase 2 competition and the Dstl Autonomy Programme Incubator's next call.
Award
· Poland
· €17.5m
Continued build-out of Poland's main MALE UAV base (Mirosławiec) includes purpose-built hangars and hardened ground control station shelters, indicating sustained infrastructure spend around unmanned aviation. Relevant to construction subcontractors and to suppliers of GCS shelters, power/generator sets and airfield electrical/telecom systems in Poland. Do: Contact DUNA Polska S.A. and LOGON S.A. as subcontractor for hangar structures, shelter systems, MV/LV power and airfield telecom works at Mirosławiec.
Tender
· Sweden
· deadline 14 Sep 2026 (28d)
· €704k
Upphandlingen avser leda fram till ett ramavtal med en leverantör för att säkerställa effektiv och pålitlig tillgång till modern och framtidssäkrad UAS-förmåga. Behovet omfattar båda anskaffning av kompletterande enheter…
Award
· Spain
· €960k
De conformidad con el apartado 2 del CCP.
Award
· Portugal
· €4.5m
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.
Context
UKDI
· UK
· deadline 27 Aug 2026 (10d)
UKDI is the main low-barrier UK entry point for single-company defence innovation funding, and the Defence-side route is being rebuilt after the Defence Investment Plan — meaning the Security Open Call is currently the only broad open door. Relevant to autonomy, space, sensing and security-tech scale-ups and SMEs able to bid alone without a consortium. Do: Submit to the Security Open Call 2026 Cycle 1 by 27 August 2026 or Innovation Support to Operations Cycle 8 by 22 September 2026 via the UKDI portal, and email accelerator@dstl.gov.uk for scope clarification; contact the UKDI Help Centre about Defence Innovation Loans while cycles are paused.
Source: https://defence-industry-space.ec.europa.eu/local-organisers-are-confirmed-next-deftech-forges-2026-08-02_en — summarised by Rearm Radar; verify details at source before bidding. Enrichment: anthropic/claude-opus-5 (confidence 80%).