The European Commission announced the adoption of the regulation establishing the AGILE programme (Programme for Agile and Rapid Defence Innovation), which aims to accelerate the transition of breakthrough defence technologies from laboratories to practical application. The initiative provides for the allocation of €115 million to support innovative defence developments. Special attention within the programme will be given to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), including startups and fast-growing companies (scale-ups). They will receive targeted financial and organisational support for developing new defence technologies and solutions, as well as assistance in their subsequent implementation in practice. The programme is part of the European Union's broader efforts to strengthen technological sovereignty in the defence sector and increase the competitiveness of the European defence industry. The emphasis on supporting small innovative companies is intended to stimulate the creation of new technologies, which are traditionally more difficult to develop within large defence contractors due to lengthy development and procurement cycles. The announcement was published by the European Commission in Brussels on 12 October 2026. Details of the project selection mechanism, application deadlines and specific priority technology areas that will be supported under AGILE are expected in subsequent documents and clarifications from the relevant Commission services.