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National · Norway · Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (FFI)

ICE worx innovation centre for the defence sector

AcceleratorsDefenceAutonomy & RoboticsUAS / DronesSoldier SystemsC2 / Battle ManagementFunding

About the programme

ICE worx is FFI's innovation centre for the Norwegian defence sector, where researchers, industry and military units co-develop and test new defence technology in rapid innovation cycles.

  • Companies participate through physical innovation arenas located near operational users, concept and demonstrator development, and recurring competitions and technology demonstrations.
  • ICE worx has also been designated a NATO test centre.

Why it matters

It is the fastest route in Norway to get a prototype in front of real military end users and problem owners. Traction here feeds directly into the armed forces' rapid-acquisition pathways.

Calls & cycles

2
Industry inquiries to ICE worxRolling

Continuously open

Continuous intake through the industry contact form; specific arenas and competitions are announced on ffi.no.

Arctic Warrior Experiment 2027 (Arctic Mobility Enhancements)Closed

Closes 1 May 2026

Technology nominations via the Vulcan platform (vulcan-sof.com) closed 1 May 2026. Selected vendors demonstrate to special-operations forces from Norway, the US, the UK and Sweden in Norway in January-February 2027. AWE is a recurring experiment series, so a further cycle is expected.

National / DenmarkOpen call

Acceleration Fund (Accelerationsfonden)

Danish Ministry of Defence / Danish Ministry of Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organisation (FMI/DALO)

The single largest pot of near-term Danish defence procurement money, with an explicit invitation for industry to propose what to buy. Speed to fielding is the main selection criterion.

Innovation procurementDefence
See programme
National / GermanyOpen call

Agentur für Innovation in der Cybersicherheit (Cyberagentur)

German Federal Government (BMVg and BMI)

One of very few German vehicles paying companies directly for security and defence-relevant research, with multi-million-euro phased contracts. Procurement-law process means longer lead times; watch the partnering events.

Innovation procurementSecurityDefenceDeep tech
See programme
National / PolandOpen call

ARP Financing for the Defence Sector (Agencja Rozwoju Przemysłu)

Industrial Development Agency (Agencja Rozwoju Przemysłu S.A.), Polish state development agency

A flexible state lender willing to bank defence-industry companies that commercial banks often avoid, useful for contract financing and liquidity in scaling defence production. No fixed calls: financing is negotiated case by case.

LoansDefenceDual-use
Working-capital loans from PLN 0.8 million (up to PLN 8.6 million with InvestEU guarantee for SMEs); larger investment and restructuring loans negotiated individuallySee programme