The Sovereign Brain: Chiplets and Semiconductors for European Defense

A strategic analysis of the EDF-2025-RA-MATCOMP-CDA-STEP project aimed at establishing a sovereign chiplet architecture to secure the microelectronic autonomy of the European Union.

The emergence of the “Sovereign Brain” concept defines the most critical technological frontier for the European Union’s defense architecture as it approaches the 2030 horizon. In an era where military superiority is increasingly dictated by computational power, the ability to design, manufacture, and secure advanced semiconductors has become a non-negotiable prerequisite for national and collective sovereignty. This analysis examines the strategic transition from reliance on globalized commodity hardware to the development of indigenous microelectronic ecosystems capable of powering next-generation sensing and engagement systems. The core of this evolution lies in the realization that advanced platforms, such as stealth fighters and hypersonic interceptors, are essentially inert without high-performance processing units that remain under allied control. By focusing on the underlying hardware layer, the Union seeks to move beyond the superficial metrics of platform counting toward a deeper, systemic resilience that addresses the molecular roots of technological power. This strategic shift reflects a move away from the post-Cold War “peace dividend” logic, which prioritized cost-efficiency through globalized supply chains, toward a comprehensive defense economy designed for endurance and security. Sovereign microelectronics serve as the invisible engine of operational readiness, ensuring that the “brains” of military systems are immune to external coercion or systemic disruption. The following investigation explores the industrial prerequisites and technical pathways for achieving hardware-level autonomy within the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base (EDTIB).