European Defence Agency gathers European nations operating Test and Evaluation centers.

Since its establishment in 2004, the European Defence Agency (EDA) has been instrumental in linking the Test and Evaluation Centres of Member States. This initiative has culminated in the formation of a European network of defence technology centres, spearheaded by the Defence Test and Evaluation Base (DTEB). A key component of this network is its comprehensive database.
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The meeting took place at the Italian Army Multifunctional Experimentation Centre (CEPOLISPE) in Montelibretti, Rome, hosted by the Defence Test and Evaluation Base Plenary Group and the Test Centres Network of Excellence, spanning the Land, Maritime, Air, and Cyber and Information domains (Picture source: EDA)

To stay ahead of evolving defence trends, the EDA organized a crucial DTEB meeting in Italy on March 13-14, 2024. This gathering was pivotal in discussing the integration of test centres with the Hub for EU Defence Innovation (HEDI), the complexities involved in testing and evaluating autonomous systems, and strategies for enhancing the testing and evaluation of technology and capability development in collaboration with the industry.

Establishing a synchronized and robust network of European Test and Evaluation Centres is fundamental for the progression of European defence policy and the success of European projects.

The meeting took place at the Italian Army Multifunctional Experimentation Centre (CEPOLISPE) in Montelibretti, Rome, hosted by the Defence Test and Evaluation Base Plenary Group and the Test Centres Network of Excellence, spanning the Land, Maritime, Air, and Cyber and Information domains. The EDA, in collaboration with the Italian Secretariat General of Defence and National Armaments Directorate, organized this event.

The conference was attended by fifty-eight experts from nine EU Member States, countries that have entered into Administrative Arrangements with the EDA, and representatives from EU Institutions, who also had the opportunity to tour the CEPOLISPE testing facilities. These expert-level meetings of the Plenary Group and Test Centres Network of Excellence occur tri-annually.

Testing and evaluation are crucial throughout the engineering process to support the entire lifecycle of weapon systems, encompassing development, production, joint procurement, service introduction, and in-service upgrades.

By enhancing the focus on defence test and evaluation, the Agency aims to streamline the coordination of testing activities, facilitating cross-certification of comparable equipment across different platforms. This would foster inherent interoperability and exchangeability. These efforts are to be encapsulated in the forthcoming 'Defence Test and Evaluation Base Strategy 2025-2035', set to be presented for Member States' approval in 2024.

The conference was attended by fifty-eight experts from nine EU Member States, countries that have entered into Administrative Arrangements with the EDA, and representatives from EU Institutions, who also had the opportunity to tour the CEPOLISPE testing facilities(Picture source: EDA)

EDA's wider role

EDA supports its 27 Member States in improving their defence capabilities through European cooperation. Acting as an enabler and facilitator for Ministries of Defence willing to engage in collaborative capability projects, the Agency has become the hub for European defence cooperation with expertise and networks allowing it to the whole spectrum of defence capabilities. Member States use EDA as an intergovernmental expert platform where their collaborative projects are supported, facilitated, and implemented.

Defense News March 2024