Advancing defence innovation from idea to capability
Hosted by the European Defence Agency (EDA), HEDI serves as a focal point for defence innovation, driving the development of military capabilities while strengthening cooperation between EU Member States and associated countries.
HEDI’s mission is to turn promising ideas into usable defence capabilities faster, while supporting EU defence priorities and strengthening Europe’s technological edge.
Why HEDI matters
Europe’s security landscape is changing rapidly, requiring armed forces to adapt and integrate new technologies more effectively. In this context, innovation plays a key role in ensuring that capabilities remain relevant and operationally effective.
HEDI helps ensure that:
- Innovative technologies reach the field more quickly
- Promising ideas are connected to real military needs
- Member States and associated countries cooperate more closely on defence innovation
- Europe strengthens its technological edge and resilience
By shortening the path from research to deployment, HEDI support defence readiness and practical capability development across Europe.
From HEDI to HEDI 2.0
HEDI was launched to strengthen and integrate EDA’s innovation activities and to improve coordination with other EU and NATO defence innovation initiatives.
Early experience showed that many promising ideas were not yet sufficiently linked to operational use. In response, HEDI evolved into HEDI 2.0 – an upgraded, pan-European platform for cooperative design, experimentation, and capability development.
HEDI 2.0 focuses on:
- Faster transition from research to deployment
- Real-world testing with military end-users
- Innovative and fit-for-purpose procurement approaches
- Stronger links between innovators and Member States and associated countries
Alignment with EU defence priorities
HEDI is tightly aligned with the EU’s wider defence policy landscape and support the Union’s ambition to strengthen defence readiness and cooperation.
In line with the European Commission’s White Paper on Defence and the Readiness 2030 agenda, HEDI accelerates the fielding of critical capabilities – strengthening resilience, interoperability, and Europe’s technological edge.
Through targeted scouting, structured experimentation, and innovative procurement approached, HEDI links research to capability delivery. This turns EU-level priorities into practical solutions that Member States can buy, qualify, and deploy.
In doing so, HEDI contributes to a more coherent and responsive European defence innovation landscape.
To deliver on these priorities, HEDI provides a set of integrated services that connect technology scouting, development, testing, and adoption.
How HEDI works
To translate its mission into concrete action, HEDI delivers its activities through four integrated services.
1. Defence Frontier Insights (DFI)
By identifying emerging technologies, early
Defence Frontier Insights (DFI) is HEDI’s early-warning and analysis service. It monitors defence and civilian sectors to identify:
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Emerging technologies
- New innovators and market players
- Trends that could shape future military capabilities
DFI provides actionable insights that:
- Guide research and innovation priorities
- Help optimise funding decisions
- Strengthen links between innovation and capability development
2. Innovators Forge – Turning ideas into operational solutions
The Innovators Forge supports European innovators in developing solutions to concrete military challenges.
Through a structured, phase-based development model, it offers:
- A streamlined path from idea to demonstrator
- Focused funding for high-potential defence solutions
- Validation in increasingly realistic conditions
- Stronger connections with EDA expert groups and Member States
The Forge ensures that innovation is driven by real operational needs.
3. Uptake of Innovation – Testing solutions in real-world conditions
HEDI accelerates the adoption of emerging and disruptive technologies through structured experimentation and flexible procurement pathways.
A central tool is Operational Experimentation (OPEX) – field-based campaigns that test technologies in military-like environments.
These campaigns provide:
- Real-world validation of performance and integration
- Data-driven feedback to improve solutions
- Faster maturation through close interaction with end-users
- Clear blueprints for scaling and deployment
- Learn more about OPEX campaigns.
4. Strengthening connections – Building Europe’s defence innovation ecosystem
HEDI strengthens cooperation across Member States, industry, academia, and international partners.
Key initiatives include:
- European Defence Innovation Network (EDIN)
A platform that connects Member States, shares best practices, and improves coordination of innovation efforts.
- European Defence Innovation Days (EDID).
HEDI’s flagship event bringing together innovators, end-users, policymakers, and other stakeholders to accelerate defence capability development.
- Defence Innovation Course (DEFIC)
This programme supports professionals in defence innovation across Europe and helps build a common innovation culture.
HEDI also works closely with the European Commission, notably the EU Defence Innovation Scheme (EUDIS), and NATO initiatives to ensure synergies and avoid duplication.
Get involved
HEDI works in close cooperation with Member States, associated countries, industry, research organisations, and innovation stakeholders across Europe.
To learn more about HEDI or explore opportunities for collaboration, please contact:
[email protected]