An Endless Frontier for Europe

Proposal for Establishing a European Defence R&D Ecosystem

Context & Justification With the United States withdrawing its security collaboration from Europe, the continent faces an urgent need to establish its own robust defence research and development (R&D) infrastructure. The U.S. experience during and after World War II demonstrates that national security and economic progress are intrinsically linked to investments in fundamental research. The creation of institutions such as the National Labs, the National Science Foundation, and the strategic vision outlined by Vannevar Bush in Science: The Endless Frontier fostered a system where high-end research continuously fed into military and technological advancements. In contrast, Europe, weakened by war and subject to a scientific brain drain, never developed a similar tightly integrated system connecting basic research to defence needs.

Now, Europe must rectify this historical gap by constructing its own defence-oriented research ecosystem that bridges basic science and applied technology to ensure both security and economic prosperity.

Core Argument & Approach Analysis of major WWII defence research initiatives, such as the Manhattan Project and radar development, reveals key insights:

• Basic research becomes relevant to practical problems when scientists, usually engaged in fundamental work, are incentivized to apply their knowledge to intractable technological challenges.
• Scientists in fundamental research are generally not intrinsically motivated to work on applied problems; their interests lie in deeper theoretical exploration.
• Effective engagement of basic research requires a combination of compelling mission, superior funding, and intellectual challenge aligned with the scientists' interests.

Given these dynamics, Europe must establish a system that replicates the success of the U.S. defence R&D model while addressing the specific needs and strengths of the European research community.

Strategic Plan

1. Establish a European Defence Research Agency (EDRA):

   • Modeled after DARPA, this agency will focus on high-risk, high-reward projects with both security and technological spillover potential.
   • It will fund fundamental research with defence applications across physics, engineering, AI, biotechnology, and materials science.

2. Develop a European National Lab System:

   • Inspired by the U.S. Department of Energy (DoE) National Labs, Europe must establish a network of multidisciplinary research laboratories dedicated to defence-related scientific breakthroughs.
   • These labs would provide a stable, long-term research environment, fostering collaboration between governments, universities, and industry.
   • Areas of focus should include nuclear technology, directed energy weapons, quantum technologies, advanced materials, and autonomous systems.

3. Integrate Basic Research with Defence Needs:

   • Establish strategic partnerships between universities, research institutions, and defence industries.
   • Create incentives for fundamental scientists to engage in applied defence problems through prestigious grants, career opportunities, and direct research funding.

4. Develop High-Impact, Mission-Oriented Projects:

   • Identify grand challenges in European security (e.g., quantum encryption, hypersonic defence, energy resilience, and AI in warfare).
   • Create flagship projects with clear long-term funding and European-wide collaboration.

5. Leverage Dual-Use Innovation for Economic Growth:

   • Ensure that defence R&D investments generate commercial technological spillovers, replicating the U.S. success with computers, the Internet, GPS, nuclear energy, and other innovations.
   • Establish technology transfer mechanisms to convert defence breakthroughs into civilian applications.

6. Secure Sustainable Funding & Governance:

   • Establish long-term EU funding mechanisms to prevent fragmentation and short-termism.
   • Implement a governance structure that ensures research independence while aligning with security imperatives.

Expected Outcomes

• A resilient, independent European defence technology base.
• Strengthened sovereignty and reduced reliance on external security providers.
• Enhanced economic growth through spin-off technologies from defence research.
• A renewed culture of scientific excellence with meaningful contributions to global knowledge and security.