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Innovation is a critical component of Europe’s defence readiness ( 1 ). Disruptive technologies and their fast development, testing and embedding in defence capabilities are essentials of modern warfare. To build credible deterrence and be ready for the unthinkable, the EU should accelerate its defence industrial transformation and fully unlock the potential of innovation. 

The war in Ukraine is demonstrating how rapidly defence technologies evolve and can alter battlefield dynamics ( 2 ). SMEs, small mid-caps, startups, and scaleups, often with a civilian deep-tech background, are central to Ukraine’s defence by swiftly delivering critical capabilities to the armed forces. Innovation and adaptation cycles are becoming increasingly shorter. High tech and complex systems are combined with low-cost and mass-manufactured products. Disruptive technologies such as AI, quantum, cyber, and space-based systems are providing rapid tactical change on the battlefield.

More than 230 defence tech startups were founded in Europe since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and private investment in defence startups reached an all-time high in 2024 ( 3 ). These “New Defence” players, some coming from civilian and dual-use markets, are transforming the defence sector ( 4 ). They broaden the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base (EDTIB), accelerate the development and deployment of disruptive innovation, and introduce a new operating model based on rapid iteration, agility, cutting-edge innovation, software-first architectures, and greater risk-taking. Private financing enables their fast growth ( 5 ). These companies are bringing a new approach to defence. Bringing together the strengths of New Defence players and established defence industry actors can drive the transformation of the defence industrial sector, foster more agile and adaptive approaches, and challenge existing procedures to deliver faster, more effective capability development and deployment.

Europe excels in the development of complex defence systems and cutting-edge technologies. Yet, as Ukraine's battlefield experience shows, this is no longer enough in a rapidly evolving threat landscape, where military edge depends not only on advanced technologies but also on the capacity to quickly adapt, iterate, deploy and mass-manufacture cost-efficient solutions. The EU needs a fundamental change of mindset and procedures inherited from peace time at all levels: Member States, industry and EU institutions. Agility, speed, collaboration and risk-taking should become the new normal in defence capability development in Europe.

This requires systematically leveraging Europe’s wider civilian research and deep-tech innovation ecosystem, ensuring that dual-use solutions emerging from the civil side can be rapidly sourced, tested and integrated into defence capability development. EU Member States are responsible for defining and communicating demand signals to industry. Achieving a genuine transformation of Europe’s industrial base will depend not only on supply-side measures, but equally on a bold transformation of demand that steers industry toward innovation and readiness to respond to those demand signals. Member States should be equipped to conduct defence procurement in a faster manner, conducive to more openness to new entrants and to rapid integration of disruptive technologies in capabilities across all domains, to face the rapidly evolving threat landscape.

This Roadmap presents clear steps to accelerate the transformation of the EU defence industry and support New Defence players. It focuses on three key objectives: i) better connect the defence and deep tech communities to accelerate the development of disruptive solutions and the emergence of New Defence actors, attract skills and talent, and accelerate spin-in benefits; ii) accelerate the integration of advanced technologies into military capabilities of EU Member States to achieve EU defence readiness and effective deterrence; iii)  enhance Europe’s defence production capacity through disruptive industrial advanced manufacturing solutions to deliver capabilities at speed, scale and in a cost-effective manner. It complements the Preserving Peace - Defence Readiness Roadmap 2030 of 16 October ( 6 ) 

The first part of the EU Defence Industry Transformation Roadmap provides an analysis of the lessons learnt from Ukraine for a new, more agile approach to defence in the EU, including by supporting the emergence and growth of New Defence players. It also underscores how emerging disruptive technologies profoundly reshape modern warfare by integrating technologies such as AI, autonomous systems, and quantum technologies into capabilities that are changing the way military operations are conducted. This transformation enables more adaptive, data-driven and resilient defence systems, re-defining modern warfare and deterrence.

The second part focuses on the key challenges to be addressed, and the corresponding actions proposed. It identifies four main areas for action: supporting the full investment journey of New Defence companies; accelerating the time to market of defence technologies; improving access to contracts and broadening the pipeline of innovative defence solutions; and fostering the skills and talent needed to sustain Europe’s defence technological edge. The swift implementation of the actions outlined in this Roadmap will create the conditions for the rapid emergence of a new defence industrial ecosystem in Europe, fit for European defence readiness.