CR14 to Lead €60M European Defence Project to Reinvent Cyber Training Across the EU

A European high-tech consortium, coordinated by Estonia's CR14 Foundation, has secured €60.4 million in funding from the European Defence Fund (EDF 2024) to launch the CITADEL Range project: Cyber Infrastructure for Training in Advanced Defence Exercises and Learning. This initiative will enhance European cyber defence by delivering modular tools and frameworks for realistic, interoperable, and cost-effective cyber training environments across EU Member States.

The project includes up to €48 million in EU funding and was selected under EDF’s Next-Generation Cooperative Cyber Range topic. It reflects a strategic shift in the EU’s cyber defence agenda, moving away from reactive measures toward a more comprehensive, full-spectrum approach to cyber operations.

“With CITADEL Range, we are shaping the future of cyber defence readiness in Europe,” said Silver Andre, CEO of CR14. “We are building on proven concepts and advancing the realism and modularity of cyber ranges. This will give national and multinational forces the tools they need to train for the full complexity of today’s threat environment.”

A Modular Approach to Cyber Force Readiness

Unlike single-platform systems, CITADEL Range does not aim to deliver one new cyber range. Instead, it offers a flexible set of modular, interoperable components that enhance and extend existing national cyber training infrastructures. These components are designed to support a wide range of use cases, including classified training, mission rehearsal, live simulations, and civil-military coordination.

Key focus areas include:

• Cross-border exercises that rely on secure, data-centric frameworks
• End-to-end cyber operations training based on domain-specific interoperability
• Integration of cyber effects into multi-domain operations (MDO)
• Use of digital twin technology and AI to create realistic scenarios more efficiently
• EU-wide accreditation frameworks for both platforms and trainees
• Shared architecture that enables pooled resources across Member States

Strategic Impact and Delivery

The project is led by a pan-European consortium that brings together large defence contractors, research and technology organisations (RTOs), small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and cybersecurity innovators. This creates a balanced ecosystem with both visionary leadership and proven delivery capability.

Technically, the project is organised around seven key pillars. These include the secure handling of classified information, simulation of complex cyber operations, integration into broader defence scenarios, the application of AI to boost scalability, development of digital twin frameworks, the creation of certification standards, and the implementation of a federated cooperation model. A shared Exercise Description Language (EDL) connects all components, ensuring smooth interoperability across systems and countries.

“This project reflects Europe’s commitment to strategic autonomy in cyber defence,” said Aron Haljaste, Vice President of Defence R&D at Nortal. “We are helping to strengthen interoperability across the EU and support resilient, mission-ready cyber operations.”

Strengthening European Cyber Sovereignty

CITADEL Range addresses two significant gaps in European cyber defence today. First, existing training environments often lack realism and interoperability. Second, creating high-fidelity simulations is expensive and complex. By using AI, digital twins, and federation-enabled orchestration, the project delivers scalable and deployable tools that meet operational requirements at both the national and EU levels.

The project will directly support EU initiatives such as PESCO CRF, ACTING, FACT, and FEDERATES. It will also bridge to civilian efforts like CYBERUNITY. The solutions developed can be implemented as standalone modules or adopted as part of larger, integrated national procurements. Thanks to its framework-centric design, the system is built to grow. It can incorporate future technologies, including those developed by external organisations.

CITADEL Range will serve as a foundation for Europe’s federated and trusted cyber training ecosystem. It strengthens readiness, improves operational coordination, and contributes to collective resilience across the Union.

About the Consortium

The CITADEL Range consortium includes 39 organisations from 18 EU Member States. It combines expertise from major defence corporations, RTOs, mid-sized companies, and SMEs. Many members already contribute to other EDF projects focused on cyber defence, simulation, and training technologies.

Consortium members include:

Airbus Cybersecurity SAS, Airbus Defence and Space, AIT Austrian Institute of Technology, Aliter Technologies, CY4GATE, Cybexer Technologies, Cybersecurity Hub, Fondatsiya Evropeyski Softueren Institut, Ecole Royale Militaire, Enamor International, EKETA, CR14 Foundation (coordinator), GMVIS Skysoft, Indra Sistemas, Institut po Otbrana, Rheinmetall Electronics, Jyväskylä University of Applied Sciences, Leonardo, Romanian Ministry of Defence, Demokritos Research Center, Naval Group, Naval Group Belgium, Nortal (Talgen Cybersecurity), Space Hellas, STAM SRL, Starion Nederland, ITTI Sp Zoo, Telefónica, Telelink Business Services EAD, Terma, Thales Belgium, Thales SIX GTS France, University of Murcia, University of Luxembourg, University of Cyprus, VisionSpace Portugal, and VisionSpace Technologies.