Airbus Defence and Space has become the anchor investor in a new €500 million European defence technology fund aimed at accelerating the growth of dual-use and defence companies across the continent.
The agreement, signed at the Farnborough International Airshow, sees Airbus back the E2D fund, launched by venture capital firms AVP and Earlybird to strengthen Europe’s defence industrial base and close critical capability gaps.
Targeting around 20 growth-stage companies with average investments of €25 million, the fund will focus on technologies spanning space, air, land, maritime and subsurface domains, supporting businesses developing both defence-specific and dual-use capabilities.
Airbus Defence and Space Chief Executive Michael Schoellhorn said the investment complements the company’s internal investment and acquisition strategy, helping to scale European deep-tech companies while keeping capital, talent and intellectual property within Europe.
E2D has also announced its first investment in French defence technology company Alta Ares, which develops AI-powered intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and counter-drone systems. The investment follows a memorandum of understanding between Airbus Defence and Space and Alta Ares to co-develop next-generation European counter-UAS capabilities into Airbus’ battle management suite.
