In a significant step to bolster European cyber defence, the European Defence Agency (EDA) and the European Cybersecurity Competence Centre (ECCC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 30 September. This agreement is designed to strengthen cooperation between the civil and defence communities, directly implementing the strategic goals outlined in key EU policy documents like the Council Conclusions on the EU Policy on Cyber Defence and the Joint Communication on EU Cyber Defence. These policies emphasize the urgent need for enhanced EU resilience against growing cyber threats, closer civil–military cooperation, and strategic investment in advanced cyber defence capabilities.
The core objective of this partnership is to align the mandates of both organizations. The ECCC, which manages the cybersecurity components of major EU funding programmes like Horizon Europe and Digital Europe, channels investment into civilian and dual-use research. The EDA, conversely, identifies defence-specific research and technology priorities and develops collaborative projects to address military capability gaps. By working in concert, they aim to ensure that EU-level funding, research, and capability development efforts are coherent, mutually reinforcing, and eliminate unnecessary duplication.
A central mechanism of the MoU is the creation of a joint “Living Roadmap,” which will be regularly updated with priority collaborative topics. This framework facilitates the exchange of perspectives and identification of synergies. Operational cooperation will be driven through the EDA’s Capability Technology group on cyber defence, known as CapTech Cyber, ensuring practical collaboration on research and technology activities. Ultimately, this enhanced partnership is a milestone in building a more resilient Europe, strengthening civil–military coordination, and investing in the full-spectrum cyber capabilities necessary to counter modern threats.
