European Commission decision on the European Defence Market Development Programme announced Wednesday includes a massive achievement to Lithuania – EUR 9.3 million of assistance granted for the CYBER4DE consortium managed by Lithuanian companies which will be developing the first European multifunctional cyber security tool set box. The toolset will be particularly valuable for the Permanent Structure Cooperation (PESCO) project, EU Cyber Rapid Response Teams (CRRTs), while being also available to other military and civilian authorities for handling cyber incidents quickly and effectively.
Vice Minister of National Defence Margiris Abukevičius points out that the EU financing for CRRT toolset underlines again the importance and successful progress of the Lithuanian-coordinated PESCO project.
“We are fortifying our positions as leaders in cybersecurity. The Cyber Rapid Response Teams and Mutual Assistance in Cybersecurity project is among the most effective and progressed PESCO projects, the capabilities are efficient both, in exercises and in managing real cyber threats. The financing granted will enable us developing the tools for the CRRTs to be even more effective,” says Vice Minister.
7 Lithuanian companies from the total of 19 applications were granted funding in the overall European Defence Market Development Programme results. Lithuanian companies will take part in the design of defence technologies for cybersecurity, airspace surveillance and battle, unmanned aerial vehicle systems, ammunition, and AI solutions.
According to M. Abukevičius, the results achieved by collaboration of Lithuanian companies and the Ministry of National Defence proves that Lithuanian enterprises and projects can successfully compete in EU defence initiates.
“Lithuania is not a passive observer – on the contrary, we are actively contributing to the development of EU capabilities, primarily in the area of cyber security. The name of Lithuania is now seen next to the leaders of consortiums assembled by European countries and the larger European Union members,” underscores Vice Minister.
The European Defence Market Development Programme was the 2019–2020 European Commission initiative as a precursor for the 2021–2027 European Defence Fund which seeks to strengthen innovative and competitive EU defence industry basis and military cooperation among the 27 member states.
Taking off in July, the European Defence Fund has a EUR 7.9 million budget which will be used to support joint research and capability development efforts, carried out by scientists from at least three EU member states, that align with EU defence priorities and further the mission of NATO and other regional and international organisations and are over the next seven years.
International company consortiums will be able to present project proposals for European Commission financing, total budget of EUR 930.3 million, in 2021 again. Relevant information can be found at the Defence Materiel Agency under the MoD website www.gra.lrv.lt.
