Defence Technology and Dual-Use Innovation Key Funding Programmes Companies in Germany and Europe should know

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In innovation funding the focus is now shifting towards dual-use technologies, which serve both civilian and military purposes. This change opens up new funding and growth opportunities in fields like technology, robotics, artificial intelligence, sensors, drones, and cybersecurity.

Significant changes in European security policy are causing a fundamental shift in innovation funding. In the past, defence-related topics were often met with disinterest or rejection by the tech industry and academic research institutions due to political and ethical concerns, such as the implementation of so-called "civil clauses" by which many universities have prohibited cooperation with military research. However, a new dynamic has emerged that is also changing the funding landscape. Dual-use technologies –– those with both civilian and military applications –– are increasingly becoming the focus of European and German funding policies. This shift is creating new funding and growth opportunities for companies in industries such as technology, robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), sensors, drones, and cybersecurity.