The European Defence Agency’s PESCO Unit talked to the coordinating Member States about the 11 projects to learn more about the benefits of launching projects in a PESCO framework. Germany, France, Finland and Italy also explained the added value of the projects.
GERMANY
Answers provided by the German Directorate-General for Planning, Directorate-General for Military Strategy and Operations, and Directorate-General for Armament.
What were the benefits of launching the projects in the PESCO framework?
Launching projects within the PESCO framework offers several benefits not only to Germany but all EU Member States and the broader European defence ecosystem. Some PESCO projects may achieve results in the short to medium term, although capability development in general, and therefore most PESCO projects, is long term in nature. That allows for sustained capability development and strategic planning.
PESCO fosters stronger defence ties between participating EU Member States by promoting joint development of defence capabilities. It helps to avoid duplication of efforts and encourages a shared use of resources; projects focused on interoperability, standardisation and joint training enhance the EU’s operational readiness and cohesion in joint missions and operations.
Some projects under PESCO are eligible for co-funding from the European Defence Fund (EDF), which supports collaborative research and development in defence capabilities. This reduces the financial burden on project members. Additionally, the domestic defence industry benefits from collaboration, technology sharing and access to broader markets. Consequently, PESCO fosters innovation and competitiveness within the European defence sector.
Furthermore, PESCO supports and complements NATO. The transatlantic alliance will benefit from PESCO, since many EU nations are members of both and a more effective European defence policy will also strengthen NATO. Through PESCO, the European Union is signalling its readiness to take on more responsibility in the world.
Joint European Electromagnetic Warfare Convergence Initiative (JEEWCI)
The project aims to establish a common basic training programme in the field of Electronic Warfare (EW) and analyse the need for a common European EW doctrine and, in such a case, provide a collaborative framework for its development.
- What were the main considerations when establishing the project proposal?
One of the most important lessons learned from the war in Ukraine is the significance of electromagnetic warfare. While there are well-established standards and procedures at both the national level and within NATO, there is currently no common understanding within the EU framework. To promote a common understanding, we aim to develop a European baseline for training and establish a common basis for policy and doctrine.
- What makes this project important?
A common understanding and training are the foundation of successful cooperation and participation. EU nations can only fight together successfully with common standards, wording, and doctrines.
Substitute for Lead in Infantry Ammunition (SLIA)
The project aims to examine whether alternative materials can be used as a substitute for lead in ammunition projectiles and what effects this could have on target ballistics.
- What were the main considerations when establishing the project proposal?
A decision is currently being taken in the EU on a possible ban on lead in ammunition. Although the military will be exempt from such a ban, the fundamental question of whether there are alternative substances should be clarified. This may also lead to an increase in performance and production capacity. A multinational approach is necessary to ensure the basic requirement of multinational interchangeability of ammunition.
- What makes this project important?
A secure supply of ammunition is essential for any military. Therefore, the availability of an alternative substance must be investigated long before a possible ban on lead.
Common Handheld Optronic Interface (CHOI)
The project aims to define a standardised interface on infantry optronic devices (targeting and observation equipment) for data transmission and power supply to achieve interoperability between the various soldier systems.
- What were the main considerations when establishing the project proposal?
There is no uniform standard for connecting different optronic devices with soldier systems, chargers or radios. It is therefore virtually impossible to exchange these devices on the multinational battlefield.
Adapters and various chargers must be used on a regular basis, which considerably reduces military usability. To solve this problem, a standardised regulation is to be created, similar to the definition for USB-C in the civilian sector.
- What makes this project important?
Equipping the infantry with modern observation equipment is of crucial importance. Until now, the replacement of optronic devices always required extensive system integration into a soldier system. This is no longer necessary once the interface has been defined. Devices can also be exchanged on a multinational basis. This achieves a level of interoperability that was previously only possible in the civilian sector using USB-C.
Infantry Navigation without GNSS (InfNav w/o GNSS)
The project aims to develop a method for navigation of dismounted forces without the use of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) to circumvent the risks associated with such systems, such as jamming, spoofing, signal blockage.
- What were the main considerations when establishing the project proposal?
Modern battle management requires a common situation picture at all levels of command. Knowing your own position at all times is therefore a basic requirement. Until now, the infantry has relied on the availability of GNSS or had to rely on corresponding map material. A hybrid navigation system that is usually integrated on platforms is missing. This problem is to be solved through the joint development of a navigation system for the infantry that does not rely on GNSS.
- What makes this project important?
In times of a transparent battlefield and the need for networked battle management, the need to fall back on map material in the event of a GNSS malfunction is a weakness that must be remedied as quickly as possible and multilaterally.
Future (unmanned) Air-to-Air Refuelling Capability
The project aims to investigate the multinational potential to improve existing Air-to-Air Refuelling (AAR) capabilities, possible commercial providers and co-operations, as well as the development and procurement of new (unmanned) AAR systems.
- What were the main considerations when establishing the project proposal?
Due to updated ambitions within Western alliances and upcoming modernisations, the PESCO Proposal ‘Future (unmanned) AAR Capability’ is poised to address future challenges, both in terms of quality and quantity. Addressing the existing capability gap in air-to-air refuelling through a multi-faceted approach will bring together the joint expertise of the participating member states.
- What makes this project important?
Rapid technology changes are linked with evolving threats. To preserve an operational advantage, the development of new, potentially game-changing capabilities tend to result in complex projects.
To cope with that, strong coherence and best possible expertise is required. The baseline for this project is a coordinated exchange on what is possible, required and desired to streamline activities and optimise resources. Successful completion of the project is an essential step for developing a capability that supports the rapid deployment and persistent presence of air power and enables the EU to conduct strategic and tactical missions effectively.
Unmanned Air Transport of Injured Soldiers (UNATIS)
The project aims to develop and qualify an Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) for the transport of injured personnel, identifying solutions for the development and qualification of unmanned Aeromedical Evacuation (AE) capabilities and coordinating joint capability research.
- What were the main considerations when establishing the project proposal?
Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine shows the changed modalities and modus operandi on the battlefield. Movement is clarified and hindered near the Forward Edge of Battle Area by unmanned vehicles. Accordingly, unmanned systems are gaining importance for all nations. At the same time, the EU should become more independent in its armaments and procurement processes. UNATIS is a pan-European approach to this in the field of “Strategic Enablers”.
- What makes this project important?
This project is important because in the field of ‘Joint Enabling’, both around logistics as well as in the area of casualty transport, it attempts to meet the changing conditions on the battlefield through an independent European approach.
FINLAND
Answers provided by Olli Ruutu, the Finnish National Armaments Director.
What were the benefits of launching the project within the PESCO framework?
PESCO as a tool is well suited to take forward work in a multinational context and is also a concrete follow-up to the IAMD Letter of Intent signed by the 18 Ministers of Defence in November 2024 at the EDA Ministerial Steering Board.
Engaging with quantum technology development and integrating them into capabilities is crucial for European security in medium to long term. Quantum Technologies (QTs) are research intensive and complex, and gathering a coalition of Member States to develop a shared agenda provides an advantage to all parties.
European collaboration in QTs contributes to building the European Defence Technology Industrial Base (EDTIB), as well as building and sustaining strategic autonomy, resilience and security of supply in this fast developing and expanding field.
Quantum Enablers for Strategic Advantage (QUEST)
The project aims to develop Quantum Technologies that enable precision Positioning Navigation Timing (PNT) independent from Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) to support secure navigation, cybersecurity, and other defence applications, including air and missile defence.
- What were the main considerations when establishing the project proposal?
Quantum technologies (QTs) for sensing and computation, including quantum computer hardware, algorithms, software, and Quantum Information Science (QIS), are expected to enable entirely new capabilities for multiple applications and domains, related to sensing, computation and networking.
Finland, as other Member States, believes that we must develop and retain a technological edge compared to our adversaries, to enable adequate capabilities for defence in the future especially when it comes to threat detection and defence in cyber, maritime, land, and air domains.
- What makes this project important?
The specific challenges to be tackled in the project are urgent operational requirements that have been highlighted by Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine. First is to develop robust precision Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT) methods and systems for conflicted spaces that are independent or less dependent on GNSS. Second is to develop capabilities related to air and missile defence, especially capabilities to find, fix and track new hypervelocity systems, swarms of systems, and other newly developed challenges.
FRANCE
Answers provided by Major General Jérôme Bordellès of the French Joint Defence Staff.
What were the benefits of launching the projects within the PESCO framework?
When it comes to monitoring and protecting the seabed, multinational cooperation between EU Member States is essential, both in terms of interoperability and the need to share development costs and integrate technologies from several European countries. From this point of view, working within the PESCO framework makes sense insofar as this instrument promotes cooperation within an intergovernmental environment and ensures synergy between the Modular Seabed Vessel (MSV) project and the other maritime projects already underway within PESCO. PESCO will thus be particularly conducive to the development of common staff requirements and to considering the specific characteristics of each of the Member States’ navies taking part in the project
It makes sense to include the MTF R2F CD project in the PESCO framework insofar as it is the continuation and direct operationalisation of a previous PESCO project coordinated until then by Spain, ROLE 2F. With a view to increasing efficiency and continuing to work with partners who were already taking part in the Spanish project, PESCO appears to be an ideal working framework, which also facilitates synergies with other EDA initiatives in the medical field.
Modular Seabed Vessel (MSV)
The project aims to develop a high seas vessel able to simultaneously carry and deploy at least one Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) and Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) for seabed operations down to depths of 6,000 metres.
- What were the main considerations when establishing the project proposal?
From a strategic point of view, the seabed is a new field of competition. Faced with our competitors’ growing interest in the seabed, the protection of Europe’s strategic interests and the freedom of our armed forces could be put in jeopardy. The threats to submarine infrastructure are growing, with a large spectrum of potential actions, from suspicious anchoring or trawling in vicinity of submarine cables, to offensive actions. In addition, the MSV project is fully consistent with EDA’s identification of opportunities for capability cooperation and meets the capability priorities identified in the Capability Development Plan (CDP) 2023 and the Coordinated Annual Review on Defence (CARD) 2024 report.
- What makes this project important?
The MSV project is particularly important because it should give us a better understanding of an environment that is still largely unknown. Let’s keep in mind that the seabed is diverse and largely unknown: 75% of it is deeper than 3,000 meters and less than 20% is known with accuracy. Furthermore, the threats to submarine infrastructure are growing, with a large spectrum of potential actions, from suspicious anchoring or trawling in vicinity of submarine cables, to offensive actions. Therefore, the ambition behind the MSV project is to maintain the freedom of action of our forces, to protect our submarine critical infrastructure and to safeguard our interests with regard to the resources located in our exclusive economic zones.”
Medical Treatment Facility Role 2 Forward-Capability Development (MTF R2F-CD)
The project aims to improve surgical support in the EU’s civilian and military CSDP missions and operations on the frontline by relying on interoperable, highly standardised and easily deployable medical treatment facilities, with a low logistical footprint.
- What were the main considerations when establishing the project proposal?
The resurgence of high-intensity conflicts requires having a responsive surgical support that can be provided near the frontline, as demonstrated by Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine. In addition, this medical project is fully consistent with the work being done at EU level by EDA to identify the most crucial capability gaps. In this respect, the MTF R2F project corresponds to a capacity required for each one of the five illustrative scenarios. It is also connected with the CARD 2024 operational collaborative opportunity “Pooling and sharing of medical capabilities (Role 2 High mobility or Role 2 embarked)” by developing a deployable capability providing in-theatre health care. Once procured, this capacity may finally be advantageously used for some deployments of the EU RDC.
- What makes this project important?
This project is particularly important as it is intended to fill a major gap, not so much in terms of capabilities, but in terms of training, doctrine and harmonisation of procedures and standards at EU level. It is also fully consistent with the work being undertaken within NATO. By designing a harmonised composition of the MTF R2F and converging on common training principles, the project contributes to enhance the interoperability of European medical capabilities. Each participating Member States’ medical staff should be able to deploy and operate the set of MTF R2F equipment and products.
ITALY
Answers provided by the Italian Ministry of Defence.
What were the benefits of launching the project within the PESCO framework?
Launching a project within the PESCO framework offers the main benefit of enhancing capability development jointly, thus promoting joint procurement and interoperability. From this perspective and considering Surface Based Air and Missile Defence as a critical capability that requires high level of integration and continuous implementation of Emerging and Disruptive Technology in order to be effective, it comes clear that the EU framework is deemed to be the most feasible solution to meet this important objective.
In recent years, the Italian Army has demonstrated a renewed awareness, commitment, and pro-activism on this field. Moreover, several national programmes and initiatives have proposed solutions through “Dismounted Soldier Systems (DSS)”. However, this initiative these systems were not harmonized in a EU context. Therefore, to facilitate the development, integration and to address many challenges together regarding future soldier system, we think that the PESCO cooperation “umbrella” is the better and proper framework to achieve together with European partners relevant breakthroughs for the dismounted soldier’s equipment.
Directed Energy Systems (DES)
The project aims to develop a modular and scalable Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) based effector to be mounted on any mobile platform. The project intends to strengthen Surface Based Air and Missile Defence by focusing on Short-Range Air Defence (SHORAD) and Very Short-Range Air Defence System (VSOHRAD) capabilities, including Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS) and Counter Rockets Artillery and Mortar (C-RAM).
- What were the main considerations when establishing the project proposal?
The 2024 CARD collaborative opportunities, and the EU capability development priorities were considered as the major guidelines, along with national capability development area of interests.
- What makes this project important?
SBAMD capability is one of the building blocks of the European Defence. Nevertheless, it represents a critical gap within the EU capability portfolio. In this regard, the project allows the EU to jointly address innovative capability solutions, namely Directed Energy System, that are crucial to effectively face emerging aerial threats, with particular focus on UAS. This joint approach is considered to be vital to reduce the needed timeframe for capability development.
Next Generation Dismounted Soldier System (NGDSS)
The project aims to develop innovative solutions to improve the soldier’s combat capabilities and effectiveness in high intensity warfighting scenarios, particularly by reducing cognitive and physical burden.
- What were the main considerations when establishing the project proposal?
The 2024 CARD collaborative opportunities and the EU capability development priorities were considered as the major guidelines, along with national capability development area of interests.
- What makes this project important?
The army combat power relies on important assets such as infantry fighting vehicles, main battle tanks and artillery systems, but none of them per se is the center of gravity. The individual soldier is the center of gravity, is somehow the weapon system for excellence. But at the same time, the Soldier capability development is “galaxy” where stand a wider number of different types of individual equipment. Try to harmonize operational requirements with the EU pMS could increase the interoperability and the collaborative opportunities for joint capability development/procurement.