This European Defence Fund (EDF) 2026 topic supports research actions to study and design a layered, scalable system-of-systems (SoS) for Critical Seabed Infrastructure Protection (CSIP). The call addresses the growing exposure of critical underwater infrastructure (CUI)—such as submarine cables, pipelines, and subsea installations—and related maritime infrastructure that spans above and below the waterline (e.g., offshore oil/gas platforms, wind farms, ports and harbours). Harbours are explicitly highlighted because many CUI land there and because civilian ports are crucial for sea lines of communication and for the embarkation/disembarkation of allied forces in crises.

The overarching goal is timely, robust detection, monitoring and management of evolving threats in open sea and coastal waters, including submarines, swimmer delivery vehicles, combat divers, and unmanned systems (UxS). To meet this need, proposals must integrate knowledge, conduct studies and deliver a design focused on the underwater domain and real operational environments. A layered defence concept is expected—spanning prevention, alarm, emergency response and deterrence—implemented through interoperable and interchangeable assets and payloads, with emphasis on manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T). The intended solution should be customisable and scalable across ranges, domains and functions, capable of running multiple missions simultaneously (monitoring, detection, response, neutralisation, deterrence and maintenance support).

A central requirement is full Underwater Situational Awareness (UMSA) supported by AI-enabled data fusion and big data management, integrated into an all-domain situational awareness picture from seabed to space and interoperating at least up to sea-basin level. The SoS should integrate resident and non-resident stationary and mobile sensors and address challenging conditions (deep seabed, shallow water with reverberation, coastal areas, congested traffic, rough seas and environmental noise). Proposals should explore great-depth technologies, long-duration/persistent platforms, energy-saving and energy-harvesting solutions for autonomous systems and passive sensors (acoustic and non-acoustic including magnetic), and secure underwater communications and networking approaches (including an Underwater IoT concept across perception, network and application layers).

Mandatory activities include studies covering threat assessment, an open modular SoS architecture, early warning and anomaly detection, maturity and performance assessments, and state-of-the-art and capability-gap analysis, as well as design activities using the NATO Architecture Framework methodology and a digital twin approach. The topic also encourages civil-military and public-private collaboration to reduce downtime from incidents, improve attribution, and contribute to deterrence while strengthening Europe’s strategic autonomy and industrial base.

Opening: 22.01.2026
Deadline(s): 29.09.2026