On 31 October 2023, the OCCAR-EA Director, along with the HYDEF consortium composed of 14 industrial partners from seven Nations (BE, CZ, DE, ES, NO, PL and SE) and represented by SMS - SISTEMAS DE MISILES DE ESPAÑA, SL, officially signed the EU-HYDEF Grant Agreement (GA) on behalf of the European Commission and the associated HYDEF Linked Procurement Contract (LPC) on behalf of the OCCAR HYDEF Participating States Belgium, Germany, Norway, Poland and Spain. The Programme has a total amount of 110 M€, of which 100 M€ are co-funded by the EU European Defence Fund (EDF).
The HYDEF Programme aims towards the investigation and definition of the concept for a European Interceptor able to neutralise those emerging new threats and those envisaged over the coming decades, and encompassing new technologies (e.g., propulsion, aerodynamics, advanced guidance, leading edge sensors, aerodynamic and actuator system, highly agile guidance), to achieve the highest manoeuvrability and capability.
The HYDEF Programme aligns with the EDF 2021 Project (EU HYDEF) for which OCCAR-EA was entrusted as Granting Authority. The signing of the Grant Agreement marks a significant stride in strengthening the collaboration between OCCAR-EA and the European Commission within the framework of managing the European Defence Fund.