Action Grants- Collaborative Defence Research and Development

Application is open for the Action Grants in the Field of Collaborative Defence Research and Development. Proposals must demonstrate the capability to develop such a C2 capability and business and common services using a software technology model. Interfaces with existing and in-development EU, NATO, and national C2 systems must be substantiated to ensure future interoperability.

The software technology model, which may integrate existing modules, must provide the services and functionalities required to demonstrate that the MPCC, as the main foreseen end-user, would be able to simultaneously plan and conduct executive and non-executive missions and operations, anywhere in the world, autonomously or in cooperation with other EEAS services, EU Member States, Norway or international organizations (e.g., mainly NATO).

The demonstration of the software technology model should be based on a scenario with the mandatory participation of the MPCC as the main foreseen end-user and include the end-to-end connections and business exchanges with national C2 systems required for seamless command and control at EU-level in close coordination and collaboration with national authorities.

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Eligibility

This demonstrated software technology model should pave the way for any further required developments and allow the EU to launch the procurement of a new C2 capability eventually, including regarding the C2 software suite components that should be ready, and include the necessary provisions, to allow the end-user a fast and agile transition from software delivery to operational use. Potential synergies and complementarity with ongoing projects at the national, multinational, or EU levels, in particular, must be given due consideration. In any case, proposals must not duplicate the main objective and work requested in the call EDIDP-ESC2S-2019 – European Command and Control (C2) system for strategic and operational levels.

Benefits

General objective

An effective and robust EU military C2 capability for missions and operations is an essential element of the overall EU effort regarding the CSDP. The lack of an adequate Joint C2 system in the EU military C2 structure is a critical shortfall identified in the EU High Impact Capability Goals 2020 and capability development processes in the area of cross-domain capabilities contributing to achieving EU’s Level of Ambition (LoA), particularly, capabilities to operate autonomously within EU’s LoA. This is especially pressing for the development of the Military Planning and Conduct Capability (MPCC), which is currently not able to achieve the Full Operational Capable status with the current C2 and CIS arrangements. Interoperability with existing or in-development national C2 systems is of key importance in order to ensure the seamless coordination of joint and combined (EU) military operations.

Specific objective

This call for proposals intends to pave the way for complementing or replacing existing European External Action Service (EEAS) C2 and Communication and Information Systems (CIS), to enhance and further develop the Military Planning and Conduct Capability (MPCC), covering all military operations, both executive and non-executive, within the EU’s Level of Ambition as formulated in the EU Global Strategy, subsequent Council Conclusions and the Strategic Compass. The ultimate aim is to allow the planning and conduct of CSDP missions and operations at strategic and operational levels.

Considering the MPCC development timescale and other relevant documents, such as the Strategic Compass, the action must be finalised, in accordance with the requirements contained in this call, by the end of 2025.

Application process

Click here to apply for the Action Grants- Collaborative Defence Research and Development

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