Call for C5ISR and Space Systems Common Procurement Initiative

Deadline: 16-Feb-2027

The European Defence Industry Programme invites proposals for Common Procurement Actions that strengthen cooperation among EU Member States and associated countries through joint procurement of C5ISR and other space-related defence products and systems. The call aims to improve interoperability, aggregate demand, strengthen supply chains, reduce strategic dependencies and reinforce the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base.

The total estimated budget for the call is EUR 150,000,000, with a maximum EU contribution of EUR 20,000,000 per Common Procurement Action. Eligible procurement actions must have an estimated value of at least EUR 20,000,000 and must be based on a binding agreement between participating countries and a designated procurement agent.

Call Overview

The European Defence Industry Programme Common Procurement Actions call for C5ISR and space-related defence systems supports joint procurement among EU Member States and associated countries.

The call is managed under the European Defence Industry Programme by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space.

It focuses on coordinated procurement of defence products, platforms, systems and subsystems related to C5ISR and space-based or space-related defence capabilities.

Main Objective

The main objective of the call is to strengthen defence cooperation and industrial readiness through common procurement.

The call aims to:

• Strengthen cooperation among Member States and associated countries
• Improve interoperability of defence systems
• Support procurement of common platforms and subsystems
• Address capability gaps
• Aggregate demand for critical defence capabilities
• Strengthen defence industrial resilience
• Improve supply chain security
• Reduce strategic dependencies
• Support SME integration
• Improve cost-efficiency
• Strengthen crisis response
• Reinforce the competitiveness and readiness of the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base

What Are C5ISR Systems?

C5ISR refers to defence capabilities related to command, control, communications, computers, cyber, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.

C5ISR systems help defence actors collect information, process data, coordinate operations, communicate securely and support decision-making.

In this call, C5ISR may include defence products, platforms, subsystems or related components that support operational awareness, communication, control and intelligence functions.

Space-Related Defence Systems

Space-related defence systems are systems or components connected to defence activities using space-based or space-enabled capabilities.

These may support functions such as communication, surveillance, reconnaissance, navigation, situational awareness, data exchange or secure defence operations.

The call supports common procurement of such systems or variants where they address shared capability needs and strengthen cooperation among participating countries.

Key Focus Areas

The call supports procurement cooperation and defence industrial resilience.

Key focus areas include:

• C5ISR defence systems
• Space-related defence products
• Common procurement
• Joint defence procurement
• Interoperability
• Common platforms
• Common subsystems
• Critical defence capabilities
• Defence industrial readiness
• Supply chain resilience
• Security of supply
• SME integration
• Strategic dependency reduction
• Cost-efficiency
• Crisis response
• European defence industrial competitiveness
• Defence lifecycle management

What the Call Supports

The call supports Common Procurement Actions for C5ISR and other space-related defence products and systems.

Eligible actions may include:

• Common procurement of systems
• Common procurement of system variants
• Procurement of defence platforms
• Procurement of subsystems
• Procurement of related components
• Establishment of defence industrial readiness pools
• Management of defence industrial readiness pools
• Maintenance of defence industrial readiness pools
• Lifecycle-related procurement activities

The proposed action should address capability gaps and reinforce cooperation among participating countries.

Common Procurement Actions Explained

A Common Procurement Action is a structured procurement activity carried out jointly by participating countries.

It is not a separate set of national purchases. It is a coordinated procurement process based on shared needs, common requirements and formal cooperation.

Common Procurement Actions help countries reduce fragmentation, increase interoperability and improve value for money in defence procurement.

Minimum Procurement Value

Proposed procurement actions must have an estimated value of at least EUR 20,000,000.

This requirement ensures that supported actions are significant enough to address strategic capability gaps and contribute to defence industrial readiness.

Applicants should provide realistic and well-supported procurement value estimates.

Funding Available

The total estimated available budget for the call is EUR 150,000,000.

The EU contribution for Common Procurement Actions is limited to a maximum of EUR 20,000,000.

Funding is based on a percentage of the estimated procurement value and may include incentive bonuses and applicable ceilings.

Binding Agreement Requirement

The procurement must be based on a binding agreement between participating Member States and associated countries.

The agreement should define the structure and responsibilities of the common procurement action.

It should clarify:

• Participating countries
• Procurement scope
• Shared capability needs
• Financial commitments
• Governance structure
• Procurement agent role
• Decision-making arrangements
• Timelines
• Lifecycle responsibilities
• Security and supply chain arrangements

A binding agreement is essential because the call supports formal joint procurement cooperation.

Procurement Agent Requirement

A designated procurement agent must manage or organise the procurement action.

Eligible procurement agents may include:

• Contracting authorities
• European Defence Agency
• Structures for European Armament Programme
• International organisations involved in joint defence procurement

The procurement agent plays a central role in ensuring that the common procurement is structured, compliant and jointly implemented.

Eligible Applicants

Applicants must be eligible entities within the meaning of the EDIP Regulation.

Eligible applicants include:

• Contracting authorities
• International organisations
• Structures for European Armament Programme
• European Defence Agency

Beneficiaries and affiliated entities must be registered in the Participant Register and meet eligibility rules related to establishment and control.

Supporting Participants

Other entities may participate in supporting roles if allowed under the programme rules.

These may include:

• Industrial partners
• Subcontractors
• Associated partners
• Technical support organisations
• Entities providing in-kind contributions
• SMEs integrated into supply chains

All supporting participation must comply with establishment, control, security and eligibility requirements.

Defence Industrial Readiness Pools

The call may support activities related to defence industrial readiness pools.

These pools help ensure that production, supply, maintenance and lifecycle support capabilities are available when needed.

They may contribute to:

• Production readiness
• Industrial capacity
• Security of supply
• Component availability
• Supply chain resilience
• Lifecycle support
• Faster crisis response
• Long-term sustainment of defence products

Supply Chain and Strategic Dependency Requirements

The call seeks to reduce strategic dependencies and improve control over critical supply chains.

Applicants should demonstrate how the procurement action will support:

• Secure access to critical components
• Stronger European supply chains
• Reduced dependence on non-eligible sources
• Improved supply reliability
• Resilient production capacity
• Better crisis response capability

The proposal should address supply chain control and security of supply across the lifecycle of the procured systems.

Component Origin and Control Requirements

The call establishes requirements related to component origin and European control.

Applicants must ensure that the procurement action supports European security interests and maintains appropriate control over sensitive components and systems.

This includes attention to:

• Component origin
• Supply chain control
• Security interests
• Design authority
• Future system adaptation
• Development and evolution of defence products

Design Authority Requirement

Projects must maintain control over the design, adaptation and future evolution of the defence products.

Design authority control means participating entities must be able to make decisions about how the system is developed, adapted, modified and upgraded.

This requirement supports European strategic autonomy and ensures that procured systems can be maintained and evolved without unacceptable external restrictions.

SME Integration

The call encourages integration of small and medium-sized enterprises into defence supply chains.

SME participation can help strengthen innovation, industrial capacity and regional defence ecosystems.

Applicants should explain how SMEs may contribute to production, components, services, innovation, maintenance or other parts of the procurement lifecycle.

Why This Call Matters

C5ISR and space-related defence systems are essential for modern defence coordination, communication, intelligence and situational awareness.

Joint procurement can help participating countries align requirements, improve interoperability and strengthen common defence capabilities.

This EDIP call matters because it supports coordinated investment in critical defence systems while strengthening the competitiveness, resilience and readiness of the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base.

It also helps reduce fragmentation, improve cost-efficiency and strengthen security of supply across the European defence sector.

Expected Results

Funded actions are expected to contribute to stronger defence cooperation and industrial resilience.

Expected results may include:

• Improved interoperability among participating countries
• Stronger C5ISR and space-related defence capabilities
• Reduced capability gaps
• More coordinated procurement requirements
• Stronger supply chain resilience
• Improved security of supply
• Reduced strategic dependencies
• Better crisis response capacity
• Stronger SME integration
• Improved cost-efficiency
• Increased industrial readiness
• Reinforced competitiveness of the European defence industrial base

How to Apply or Prepare a Strong Proposal

Applicants should prepare a structured Common Procurement Action proposal that demonstrates eligibility, cooperation, procurement value and compliance with EDIP requirements.

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

Applicants should confirm that they are eligible contracting authorities, international organisations, SEAPs or the European Defence Agency under the EDIP Regulation.

Beneficiaries and affiliated entities must be registered in the Participant Register and meet establishment and control requirements.

Step 2: Identify the Shared Capability Gap

The proposal should clearly identify the C5ISR or space-related defence capability gap being addressed.

Applicants should explain why joint procurement is necessary and how the action supports participating countries.

Step 3: Define the Procurement Scope

Applicants should describe the systems, variants, platforms, subsystems or components to be procured.

The scope should be specific, realistic and linked to defence capability needs.

Step 4: Confirm the Procurement Value

The proposed procurement action must have an estimated value of at least EUR 20,000,000.

Applicants should provide credible cost estimates and explain how the procurement value was calculated.

Step 5: Establish a Binding Agreement

Participating countries must establish a binding agreement.

The agreement should clearly define roles, responsibilities, governance, financial commitments and procurement arrangements.

Step 6: Designate a Procurement Agent

Applicants must appoint an eligible procurement agent.

The procurement agent may be a contracting authority, the European Defence Agency, a SEAP structure or another international organisation involved in joint defence procurement.

Step 7: Demonstrate Interoperability Benefits

The proposal should explain how the procurement will improve interoperability among participating countries.

This may include shared standards, compatible systems, common requirements, common interfaces or aligned lifecycle management.

Step 8: Address Industrial Readiness

Applicants should explain how the action will strengthen industrial readiness.

This may include readiness pools, production capacity, supply chain resilience, maintenance arrangements or lifecycle support.

Step 9: Demonstrate Supply Chain and Design Control

The proposal should clearly address component origin, supply chain control, security interests and design authority.

Applicants should show how European control over development, adaptation and future evolution will be maintained.

Step 10: Prepare the Funding Request

Applicants may request a maximum EU contribution of EUR 20,000,000.

The funding request should respect the applicable funding percentage, incentive bonus rules and ceilings.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid the following mistakes:

• Proposing procurement below the EUR 20,000,000 minimum value
• Failing to establish a binding agreement between participating countries
• Not appointing an eligible procurement agent
• Submitting separate national procurement activities instead of a true common procurement action
• Providing weak evidence of interoperability benefits
• Ignoring supply chain resilience and security of supply
• Failing to address component origin requirements
• Not demonstrating design authority control
• Overlooking establishment and control eligibility requirements
• Not registering beneficiaries or affiliated entities in the Participant Register
• Providing unclear procurement cost estimates
• Requesting funding above the applicable ceiling

Tips for a Strong Proposal

A strong proposal should:

• Clearly identify the shared defence capability need
• Focus on C5ISR or space-related defence systems
• Demonstrate genuine cooperation among participating countries
• Include a robust binding agreement
• Appoint an eligible procurement agent
• Show strong interoperability benefits
• Provide credible procurement value estimates
• Address supply chain resilience and security of supply
• Include a clear plan for defence industrial readiness
• Demonstrate European control over design and future evolution
• Explain SME integration where relevant
• Stay within the funding limits and EDIP eligibility rules

FAQ

1. What is this EDIP Common Procurement Actions call about?

It supports joint procurement of C5ISR and other space-related defence products and systems by EU Member States and associated countries.

2. How much funding is available?

The total estimated available budget is EUR 150,000,000.

3. What is the maximum EU contribution per action?

The maximum EU contribution for a Common Procurement Action is EUR 20,000,000.

4. What is the minimum procurement value?

Proposed procurement actions must have an estimated value of at least EUR 20,000,000.

5. Who can apply?

Eligible applicants include contracting authorities, international organisations, Structures for European Armament Programme and the European Defence Agency within the meaning of the EDIP Regulation.

6. What is required for the procurement structure?

The procurement must be based on a binding agreement between participating countries and must include a designated procurement agent.

7. What control requirements apply?

The call includes requirements related to component origin, security interests, supply chain control and design authority to ensure European control over development, adaptation and future evolution of defence products.

Conclusion

The European Defence Industry Programme Common Procurement Actions call supports joint procurement of C5ISR and space-related defence systems to strengthen European defence cooperation and industrial readiness.

With an estimated budget of EUR 150,000,000, a maximum EU contribution of EUR 20,000,000, and a minimum procurement value of EUR 20,000,000, the call is designed for strategic cooperative procurement actions.

Applicants should prepare proposals that demonstrate strong cooperation, clear capability needs, binding procurement arrangements, eligible procurement agents, interoperability benefits, supply chain resilience, SME integration and European control over system design, adaptation and future evolution.

For more information, visit European Commission.