European Commission grants €1.2 billion to 61 Collaborative Defence Cooperation Projects under the European Defence Fund

On 20 July 2022, the European Commission announced that it would grant €1.2 billion to 61 collaborative defence research and development (R&D) projects under the European Defence Fund (EDF). The selected projects focus on a broad range of high-end defence capability development, from next-generation aircraft, ships and tanks to artificial intelligence and cyber capabilities, semiconductors and new materials, and quantum and other potentially disruptive technologies.

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The Role of Conventional Forces in Modern Warfare and the European need of Innovation and Harmonisation

In recent years hybrid and cyber warfare have become the main focus in the defence sector. New technologies mean new threats, adapting defence capabilities to innovation is critical to maintain high-efficiency levels. During the NATO Madrid summit, which took place on 29th-30th, the issue of cybersecurity and disinformation was on the agenda, and necessary steps were included in the final declaration and in the new Strategic Concept. NATO announced a new defence and deterrence posture across the cyber domain to fight against new threats and challenges and stressed the necessity to increase resilience. However, the last events that occurred in our continent seem to be highlighting an unavoidable fact: conventional forces still play a fundamental role.

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2022 NATO Madrid Summit: The Response of the Atlantic Alliance

Between the 28 and 30 of June, the 2022 Madrid Summit gathered the heads of state and governments of NATO Member States and partners, representing a crucial point for discussing the future of the Atlantic alliance. The Russian invasion of Ukraine has, in fact, forced NATO to come up with an agreement on further measures in response to Moscow. At the same time, the Alliance also had to define a new collective security doctrine to follow throughout the future global scenario.

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Slovakia: the CV90 Wins in Infantry Fighting Vehicle Tender

Slovakia's Defence Ministry said an agreement with Sweden would be signed to purchase 152 CV90 MkIV tracked infantry fighting vehicles equipped with 35 mm guns from BAE Hägglunds. The new vehicles will enable Slovakia to replace obsolete Soviet-made IFVs. Contextually, this purchase aims to materialise the attempt to build a heavy mechanised brigade, strengthen its defence and support local industry.

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NATO Announces Fostering the Rapid Reaction Force

The Secretary-general of NATO, Jens Stoltenberg, announced on 27 June that the Alliance is going to increase the capabilities of its rapid reaction force (NRF) by nearly eight times. The troops dedicated to this unit are going from 40.000 to 300.000, and their characteristic is, as the name suggests, that they can deploy quickly when needed.

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