The first batch of awardees for European Defence Fund-supported projects was announced in mid-July by the European Union, reflecting a cumulative €1.2 billion (U.S. $1.23 billion) going to 61 defense research and development projects.

For its initial EDF cycle, the European Commission received more than 140 proposals. Applicants were required to be consortia consisting of at least three firms from at least three EU member states or Norway. Nearly 700 companies from 26 member nations and Norway are represented in the selected projects, according to the commission.

"An important success for domestic research and development in the field of Defense and Security is the participation of small and medium Cypriot enterprises and research institutions in 7 EDF project proposals for 2021," a Defence Ministry press release noted on Saturday.

The projects that successfully acquired funding are:

MarsEUs: Modular ARchitecture Solution for EU States (Participation of SIGNAL GENERIX LTD and ADITESS). The project concerns the development of technologies that enhance the ability of anti-tank systems to fire beyond the visual horizon.

COMMANDS: Convoy Operations with Manned - Unmanned Systems (Participation of companies ADDITESS, 8BELLS, SIGNALGENERIX and NEDACIANA HOLDINGS). The project concerns the development of technologies to enhance the operational capabilities of a fleet of collaborative intelligent manned or unmanned ground combat vehicles.

RF SHIELD: RF Interference Removal for Military Services Based on Spaces Link (Participation of ECLIPTIC DEFENSE AND SPACE). The project concerns the development of technologies for the protection of European satellite communications (COMSATCOM/MILSATCOM) for military use, from intentional or unintentional interference.

ALADAN: Ai-based Language technology development framework for Defense Applications (Participation of IANUS CONSULTING). The project concerns the design and development of a machine translation, speech and text system based on artificial intelligence for defense applications.

ACTING: Advanced European platform and network of Cybersecurity training and exercises centers (Participation of KOIOS Center of Excellence and 8BELLS and SIDROCO companies). The project concerns the development of a European platform for training and exercises in the field of cyber security, incorporating sophisticated methods and simulation techniques in order to enhance the information and assessment of cyber security personnel.

AInception: AI Framework for Improving Cyber Defense Operations (Participation of 8BELLS and UBITECH companies). The project concerns the development of tools as well as techniques based on artificial intelligence for the purpose of detecting, monitoring and countering cyber-attacks for the protection of military systems.

iFurther: High Frequency Over the Horizon Sensors' Cognitive Network (Participation of SIGNALGENERIX). The project concerns the development of over-the-horizon networked smart radar technologies to deal with aerial and maritime threats at long distances in order to strengthen the European Defense.

Under the EDF2021 calls, the European Union will allocate a total of €1.2 billion to 61 projects as a result of the 23 calls published in 2021, the press release states.

All results are published in detail at https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/IP_22_4595.

Source: Knews