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ARSC/Projects/DEFNET
SECURITY & DUAL-USE · 2025-2026

DEFNET - Defence Network România.

The ARSC platform dedicated to dual-use projects, digitalisation and access to EU funding for dual-use technologies, security and resilience. A working framework that connects companies, research and public administrations across Romania's technology ecosystem.

2025Year of the official
launch
Dual-UseCivil-military
technologies
6Strategic
domains
EUEU funds
targeted

What DEFNET does.

Four operational strands, brought together in a single framework: dual-use, digitalisation, research, and EU funding for the defence and security sector.

01 · Dual-use projects

Technologies with simultaneous civil and military applications. Support in accessing EU funding lines for dual-use (e.g. the European Defence Fund) and in connecting with industry and research.

02 · Digitalising the defence industry

Support for digitalising industrial operations, integration with national funding programmes, modernisation of national capabilities.

03 · Research & development

Connections with technical universities, research institutes and industry. Presence at the major sector conferences: ACTIT, SIGSEC.

04 · EU funding

Identifying relevant calls, structuring consortia and support in drafting proposals for European security and dual-use funds (e.g. the European Defence Fund, Horizon Europe - civil security).

DEFNET strategic
domains.

Aligned with the EU's funding priorities for civil security and dual-use technologies (European Defence Fund, Horizon Europe).

Aerospace industry & autonomous systems

Drones, UAS, urban air mobility, satellite communications and airborne sensors. A priority in every European call for defence and dual-use technologies.

Cybersecurity & digital infrastructure

Protection of critical networks, encryption, attack detection, zero trust, 5G networks and secure communications for command centres and national infrastructure.

Critical infrastructure & resilience

Transport, energy, water and communications networks, hospitals and SCADA systems. Digitalisation, operational autonomy and the security of strategic infrastructure.

AI & emerging technologies

Decision algorithms, simulation, digital twins, machine learning, edge computing and visual recognition. A cross-cutting domain that applies to every strategic area.

Biosecurity & CBRN

Detection, protection and response for biological, chemical, radiological and nuclear risks. Rapid detection sensors, mobile analysis stations and alert systems.

Logistics & tactical mobility

Managing resources in the field, autonomous vehicles, critical deliveries, route planning and supply chain optimisation for complex operations.

DEFNET services for
accessing funding.

DEFNET adds immediate value for its members through three concrete services that speed up access to funding.

  1. 01
    Dual-Use Audit - assessing the member company's technology portfolio and identifying the EDF/EUDIS calls it can apply for. Immediate added value for IT, AI or telecoms companies that do not know they are eligible.
  2. 02
    Consortium facility - DEFNET acts as consortium integrator, connecting 3-5 Romanian companies with European partners to form the mandatory consortia required by EDF/EDIP. We remove the main barrier to entering European programmes.
  3. 03
    SAFE contract monitoring - tracking the public contracts generated by Romania's SAFE investments and alerting members to subcontracting opportunities. A source of concrete business, not only of R&D funding.

Companies in security, resilience and dual-use.

For companies that develop technologies with dual applications (civil + security) or that want to access European funds for civil security and dual-use (European Defence Fund, Horizon Europe), DEFNET is the entry point to the ecosystem.

The Smart City Romania network run by ARSC

Everything you want to know about the fastest-growing industry in Romania. The sites below are in Romanian.

arsc.ro · [email protected]