Research institutes, universities and think tanks

1. Establish a European Rapid Testing & Qualification Network for critical technologies.
ID: IN-092
Lab: RESILIENCE
Challenge: Testing capabilities exist across Europe but are fragmented and difficult to access rapidly during a crisis.
Lead actor: Research institutes, universities and think tanks
Supporting actors: National governments, including finance and economy ministries, European Defence Agency
First step: Map relevant testing and qualification capabilities in Germany, Baltic States and Ukraine.
Timeframe: 12 months
KPI: Operational capability map and defined rapid-access procedure.

2. Establish a Tier-2 heavy-manufacturing partnership model based at qualified, established industrial facilities in the Baltic States (e.g., Latvia): providing defence tech developers and start-ups with immediate access to industrial foundry, forging, precision machining, and heavy welding infrastructure to rapidly scale hardware production (such as robotic chassis, mounts, and protective structures). An integral part of this initiative is close collaboration with local accelerators and defence innovation hubs (e.g. UniLab in Latvia) to identify promising technologies and connect innovators with industrial partners.
ID: IN-108
Lab: RESILIENCE
Challenge: Defence SMEs and technology start-ups lack heavy-industrial infrastructure, specialised tooling, and Tier-2 manufacturing partners; setting up new production sites takes years and significant capital, delaying the deployment of combat-proven hardware.
Lead actor: Research institutes, universities and think tanks
Supporting actors: Defence SMEs and start-ups; National governments, including finance and economy ministries
First step: Designate an established heavy-industrial facility in the Baltic region (e.g., in Latvia) as a pilot Tier-2 defence manufacturing hub; launch a fast-track pilot line for 2 defence SMEs/start-ups using direct Ukrainian operational feedback.
Timeframe: 12 months
KPI: The Tier-2 shared-manufacturing framework is fully operational, with a verified test batch delivered and at least 3-5 defence SMEs utilising the plant's heavy-industrial capacity.