Held on February 26-27 at the Pavilion Hall in Nicosia, the event was organized by the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), the Cyprus Association of Research and Innovation Enterprises (CARIE), and C.D Multimedia Services Ltd., under the auspices of the Cyprus EU Presidency and the Ministry of Defence. Support came from the Cyprus Police and other bodies, with the conference segment in collaboration with the European Commission’s DG-DEFIS/ENDR.

The conference featured presentations from Cyprus and EU officials, as well as domestic, Greek, and international defense companies. President Nicos Christodoulides opened the event, attended by the Minister of Defence Vasilis Palmas, Minister of Justice Constantinos Fytiris, and senior National Guard and Police officials.

Thirty-five companies participated, and over 500 delegates attended, discussing themes such as Cyprus’s Defense Industry Strategy, EU financial tools for defense, new battlefield technologies, and lessons from recent conflicts.

For the first time, the exhibition was open to the public, showcasing defense and dual-use systems from companies and national security forces. Notable agreements included a strategic cooperation for the Hellas Sat 5 satellite optical communications system with Hellas Sat, CNES, Thales Alenia Space, and Safran Data Systems.

BATTLEFIELD ReDEFiNED 2026 highlighted the potential of coordinated action between state bodies, EU institutions, and the private sector to strengthen Cyprus’s defense ecosystem, national security, and economic resilience.

On Tuesday, 3 February, the Hellenic Center for Defense Innovation (HCDI/ELKAK) announced its Programming Plan 2026, a strategic framework that defines the organization’s priority themes, operational needs, and approach to accelerating the operational use of defense innovation in the coming year.

The Programming plan serves as ELKAK’s core strategic planning instrument and is based on the Special Strategic Planning for Research & Development Programs, which reflects the operational requirements of the Hellenic Armed Forces. These needs are intended to be addressed through the development of innovative prototypes, rather than the procurement of off-the-shelf solutions.

During the event the following topics were discussed:

• Setting in motion the Hellenic innovation ecosystem
• Unified business register of the Defense sector
• European defense industry program

If you wish to join HCDI’s Defense ecosystem, please follow the link below:

https://www.elkak.gr/en/ecosystem-chart

On 17 December 2025, the Commission adopted the European Defence Fund’s 2026 Annual Work Programme, earmarking €1 billion for collaborative research and development (R&D) in the field of defence. 

The EDF Work Programme 2026 addresses 31 call topics in total, structured along seven thematic calls for proposals, three non-thematic calls for proposals, one action to focus on threats from hypersonic glide vehicles, and two actions in support of the EU Alliance for defence medical countermeasures. 

Read more in the following links:

EDF Home page  ↗

Indicative Multiannual Perspective 2026 - 2027  ↗

EDF 2026 Call Topics descriptions  ↗

EDF WP 2026 factsheet  ↗  

We are pleased to announce that we participated in the 19^th annual conference of marine technology organized by the H.I.M.T (Hellenic Institute of Marine Technology). The conference was held at the Eugenides Foundation the 9^th & 10^th of December.

The H.I.M.T. boasts of the high scientific merit of its Annual Conference, which became a focal event in Greece for discussing technological advances relevant to the Greek and international shipping, ranging from innovation to practical application. Based on previous experience, this year’s event is expected to be strongly supported by the maritime community, gathering experts and stakeholders from business, academia and the public sector.

HIMT conference page

EDF 2026 Info Days schedule released!

10-11 March 2026 | Brussels, Belgium

The EDF Info Days 2026 will take place on 10–11 March in Brussels & online. Registration opens mid-December. 

It is a great opportunity to learn abut the EDF2026 calls, meet partners, join thematic pitch sessions & connect with investors. Above all, you will have the chance to meet your EU3STAR experts and discuss with them all issues around the EDF calls ecosystem!

So mark it in your calendar and see you in Brussels!

EDF 2026 Info Days announcement on X   ↗

EU3STAR participates in SPADER kick-off meeting

It happened in Tallin on 3rd and 4th of November, 2025!

SPADER is an EDF 2024 awarded project for the next 3 years.

As members of the consortium, EU3STAR was present in the kick-off meeting.

Hosted by the project coordinator, VAAL project officer Timmu Tollimägi, this meeting

gave the partners all necessary information to initiate their activities.

At the meeting was present the DG/DEFIS project manager (PO) and itwas broadcasted

in a dedicated teleconference channel, allowing more partners' personnel to participate in it!

NEDS matchmaking 2025

19 Nov 2025 | Rotterdam, Netherlands

EU3STAR was present in this important defence industry  matchmaking event!

A delegation of 3 persons, including EU3STAR C.E.O. Mr. J. Kosmas performed important meetings and discussions regarding the "hot" topics of the Eurpoean defence industry evolution.

NEDS matchmaking 2025

Every year the European Committee organizes the EDF informative and matchmaking event for the annual calls program. EU3STAR delegation scheduled a series of meetings with participants that were presenting interest in the targeted  call categories. Attention was given among others to:

• EDF-2025-LS-DA-SME-NT
• EDF-2025-LS-RA-SMERO-NT
• EDF-2025-LS-RA-DIS-NT

Many thanks to all of people who met us and we hope for the best upcoming cooperation opportunities!

EDF 2025 Info Days