Baltic States Seek More EU Funding for Hybrid Warfare Defence

Baltic Sea states are calling for increased European Union funding to counter sophisticated hybrid threats, including cyber attacks, disinformation, and infrastructure sabotage. These threats are escalating and becoming more sophisticated, prompting calls from the Baltic Sea states for greater financial support to bolster their defence capabilities.

The focus on hybrid warfare reflects a growing security priority across the bloc, particularly in light of recent geopolitical developments. Projects already underway underscore the EU's engagement with these complex challenges. For instance, the CYBERCOMM project, which began in September 2023 and concludes in November 2025, specifically addresses "cyber warfare as a key component of multi-layered hybrid strategies employed by hostile state actors and organized criminality to undermine peace and security in Europe." This research aims to develop exemplary approaches to common security challenges arising from the hybridization of modern warfare.

Another relevant initiative, NATOEUINNOCLIMAX, explores "possible common NATO and EU strategies to fight Russian hybrid warfare." This project, active from January 2024 to April 2027, also considers the role of Emerging Disruptive Technologies in this context. Its inter-disciplinary approach integrates economic, political, and strategic studies to evaluate the gap between strategic competition needs and energy-resources-climate security. The calls from the Baltic states align with the objectives of such projects, emphasizing the need for robust and coordinated responses to evolving security landscapes.

What this means: Increased EU funding for hybrid warfare defence signals potential future funding streams for advanced defence technologies and collaborative security initiatives, particularly in cyber security and critical infrastructure protection.