The agency seeks to ensure greater awareness of technological developments across and beyond defence. 

A four-lot competition was launched by the European Defence Agency’s (EDA) Hub for EU Defence Innovation (HEDI) on 8 July in a bid to identify and assess new technologies.  

The four lots, detailed in an EDA tender notice, include: technology monitoring and landscaping; military utility assessments; consultancy services for market assessments; and innovation training courses. 

The notice reveals that a total of EUR3.2 million is available, with applications set to close on 8 September. Each lot will run in parallel over two years. 

An estimated EUR800,000 is available for “technology watch and landscaping” services under lot one. HEDI is looking for a contractor to provide continuous market analysis – inside and beyond defence – to ascertain trends, weak signals, and potentially impactful dual-use innovations. 

This includes the use of AI for market analysis.  

An EDA spokesperson told DSEI Gateway that lot one can be won by up to three companies under multiple, reopening framework contracts. 

Regarding the market analysis, the spokesperson said that “there will be a publicly releasable version, but the majority of the deliverables are intended for internal use by EDA and the member states”. 

Alongside monitoring, the agency also seeks a partner to evaluate the potential military applications of emerging technologies through the implementation of a robust military utility assessment framework under lot two.  

A total of EUR800,000 is available for one successful bidder, according to the EDA spokesperson.  

The largest of the four competitions – lot three– is valued at EUR1.2 million, pertaining to consultancy services for “needs assessment” and targeted market consultations. Within this, the provider will be expected to deliver market intelligence and detailed supplier mapping, identifying high-potential innovators.  

The provider will also be responsible for setting up market engagements with frontline users and other stakeholders to support adoption. 

While lot four offers EUR400,000 to a “single service provider” for the delivery of a defence innovation course tailored to EU ministries of defence, the spokesperson said.  

The course will aim to align all stakeholders on key concepts and processes, while “equipping participants with the practical skills and competencies necessary to initiate, manage, and scale innovation activities within defence organisations”, according to the notice. 

This fulfils a key part of HEDI’s mandate, in building greater consensus and common understanding among EU and member state officials. 

What is HEDI? 

Established in 2022, HEDI is a platform within the EDA responsible for identifying and promoting innovative collaboration among member states.  

Part of HEDI’s role, delivered through its Defence Future Insights efforts, is to assess innovation ecosystems, key players, aid adoption through a range of activities and services, and build shared understanding among stakeholders. 

DSEI Gateway News is part of DSEI UK and the broader Clarion Defence portfolio. 
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