Commissioner for Defence and Space Andrius Kubilius has outlined a comprehensive strategy to address fragmentation in European defence research and development (R&D), emphasising faster transition from research to deployment and stronger EU-level coordination. In a written answer to MEP Jan Farský (PPE, Czechia), Kubilius detailed a suite of existing and proposed instruments aimed at closing the capability gap and boosting Europe's defence readiness, impacting defence industry players, EU member states, SMEs and start-ups, and EU taxpayers.
The answer, submitted on 23 April 2026, responds to Farský's question of 30 January 2026, which raised concerns about structural fragmentation limiting the EU's ability to deliver critical defence and dual-use technologies quickly and at scale. Farský specifically asked whether the Commission intends to strengthen coordination and whether it is considering a mission-driven R&D organisation modelled on the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).
Concrete proposals, not just commitments
Kubilius's answer goes beyond vague support, listing concrete legislative and programmatic initiatives. He points to the European Defence Fund (EDF), including its European Defence Innovation Scheme, which supports collaborative R&D on disruptive technologies. The Defence Readiness Omnibus aims to enable quicker innovation cycles under the EDF. A key new proposal is the Programme for agile and rapid defence innovation (AGILE), designed to support rapid development of emerging and disruptive defence products, with a focus on SMEs, start-ups, and scale-ups. The Commission also proposes the European Competitiveness Fund and the Horizon Europe programme to continue and expand this holistic approach.
mission-driven, but not DARPA
While Kubilius does not explicitly endorse a DARPA-like organisation, the AGILE programme and the emphasis on mission-driven innovation signal a move toward more centralised, rapid-cycle defence R&D. The answer stresses reducing fragmentation, ensuring smooth research-to-deployment transition, and fostering civilian-defence synergies. The EU is backing joint procurement through the European Defence Industry Programme and supporting production ramp-up to achieve necessary speed and scale.
Institutional follow-up
AGILE is a recent Commission proposal; the European Competitiveness Fund and Horizon Europe are also proposed. The Defence Readiness Omnibus is under negotiation. Kubilius signals that the EU aims to expand this approach, with further legislative steps expected as part of the broader defence readiness agenda. The answer suggests the Commission is prioritising agility and cross-border cooperation over creating a single new agency, instead leveraging multiple instruments to address fragmentation.