National · Poland · Ministry of National Defence (MON) / Polish Armed Forces

Innovations for East Shield (Innowacje dla Tarczy Wschód)

Innovation procurementDefenceSecurityUAS / DronesC-UASISR & SensorsCyberC2 / Battle ManagementLand systems

About the programme

A rolling MON mechanism for rapidly acquiring innovative technologies for the East Shield (Tarcza Wschód) national defence and deterrence programme.

Since launch it has received over 660 submissions, of which 628 were qualified into key technology areas: military engineering and infrastructure (234), sensors and effectors (167), unmanned weapon systems (140), and connectivity and cybersecurity (119).
The pathway runs from submission through expert analysis, qualification, operational testing during military exercises, to a recommendation to MON leadership and an implementation decision.

Why it matters

The fastest route to getting a product tested by the Polish Armed Forces and onto a procurement track, without a grant competition. Particularly relevant for C-UAS, sensors, fortification tech, unmanned systems and battlefield communications.

Calls & cycles

Zgłoś innowacje (rolling innovation intake)Rolling

Continuously open

Continuous submissions via the 'Zgłoś innowacje' form; selected solutions are tested in military exercises before implementation decisions.

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