The European Defence Agency has developed a flexible way of carrying out research & technology projects in the field of Unmanned Maritime Systems (UMS) for future naval applications. This integrated research programme was approved by European defence ministers as early as 2009. So far 15 projects have been launched in that framework for a total value of more than €50 million. Ten EDA Member States (Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain and Sweden) and Norway are currently active in the programme.