Ground combat capabilities are the top priority in the EDF’s latest call for military proposals.

The European Commission announced a fresh investment of nearly EUR1.1 billion into projects for “tomorrow’s defence capabilities” on 30 January.

Under the European Defence Fund (EDF), the investment will support nine competitive calls for proposals across 31 topics, from rotorcraft propulsion systems to space-based intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR).

Based on total budget spend, ground combat is the EDF’s main priority, with EUR192 million allocated for proposals in the domain.

Specifically, the EDF is looking to support capabilities in land collaborative combat, drone-based mass munitions, future modular multifunctional land platforms, and technologies for counter-battery capabilities.

Calls for proposals across all domains will open in mid-February, according to the European Commission’s statement. Submissions are due by 16 October.

Ground combat aside, the EDF’s other priorities are space-related initiatives (EUR115 million allocated), and proposals in the air combat domain (EUR103 million allocated).

The EDF, which boasts a total budget of EUR7.3 billion for 2021 to 2027, was established to fund collaborative defence research into emerging security threats, and to enhance European defence readiness through capability development projects.