European Defence Fund 2026: Simplification, STEP Integration and the New Access Path for SMEs
From Regulatory Alignment under the Mini-Omnibus to Cascade Funding for Defence Innovators
The 2026 Work Programme of the European Defence Fund (EDF) represents a structural evolution in how the European Union finances its security and industrial sovereignty. On February 4, 2026, the European Commission formally amended the 2026 Work Programme to align its operational mechanics with a new regulatory landscape. This transition is primarily dri…