This project focuses on advancing European cyber sovereignty and reflects the EU’s strategic shift from reactive cyber measures toward full-spectrum cyber defence operations.
CITADEL Range project “Cyber Infrastructure for Training in Advanced Defence Exercises and Learning” will develop modular tools and frameworks for realistic, interoperable, and cost-effective cyber training and exercise environments across EU Member States, advancing Europe’s cyber defence capabilities.
“This project reflects Europe’s commitment to strategic autonomy in cyber defence,” said Aron Haljaste, VP of Defence R&D at Nortal. “Through our participation, we’re strengthening EU-wide interoperability and enabling resilient, mission-ready cyber operations across domains.”
“With CITADEL Range, we are shaping the future of cyber defence readiness in Europe,” commented Silver Andre, CEO at CR14, the coordinator of the consortium. “By building upon proven concepts and pushing the boundaries of realism and modularity in cyber ranges, we are equipping national and multinational forces with the tools they need to train for the full complexity of today’s cyber threat environment.”
CITADEL Range addresses two critical gaps in current cyber defence readiness: the limited realism and interoperability of existing training environments, and the high cost and complexity of building high-fidelity simulations. By leveraging technologies such as AI, digital twins, and federation orchestration, the project will deliver deployable tools and frameworks that meet the operational needs of both national and EU-level cyber defence commands.
The initiative, with a total budget of €60.4 million, including up to €48 million in EU funding, was selected under the EDF’s Next-Generation Cooperative Cyber Range topic.
Unlike single-platform solutions, CITADEL Range does not deliver a standalone cyber range. Instead, it provides a set of modular, interoperable components that complement and extend existing cyber ranges within EU defence structures. These components support use cases including classified exercises, mission rehearsal, real-time simulation, and civil-military coordination.
The project focuses on:
The CITADEL Range project is delivered by a pan-European consortium. This diverse coalition integrates large defence companies, research and technology organizations (RTOs), SMEs, and cybersecurity innovators, forming a balanced ecosystem that combines strategic vision with proven delivery capacity. Technically, the project is structured around seven strategic focus areas:
The CITADEL Range project results will support ongoing EU initiatives such as PESCO CRF, ACTING, FACT, and FEDERATES, and build bridges to civilian programs like CYBERUNITY. The project's outcomes are designed to be adopted either modularly – as standalone components – or as part of integrated, nation-scale cyber range procurements. The framework-centric approach ensures long-term extensibility, allowing future integration with technologies developed by non-consortium companies.
CITADEL Range will be a cornerstone in the EU’s effort to develop a federated, trusted cyber training ecosystem – strengthening Europe’s cyber readiness, operational coordination, and collective resilience.
The CITADEL Range consortium comprises 39 organizations from 18 EU Member States. The consortium includes a balanced mix of large corporations, research and technology organizations (RTOs), mid-sized enterprises, and SMEs, many of whom are already engaged in European Defence Fund (EDF) projects related to cyber defence, simulation, and training technologies. This diverse and experienced group brings together leading expertise in cybersecurity, cyber operations, AI, digital twins, systems integration, defence training, and multi-domain operations. The collective vision and capabilities of the consortium ensure a comprehensive, modular, and interoperable approach to cyber defence training and capability development throughout the project’s lifecycle.
The CITADEL Range consortium includes: 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, Ethniko Kentro Ereynas kai Technologikis Anaptyxis, CR14 Foundation (coordinator), GMVIS Skysoft, Indra Sistemas, Institut po Otbrana, Rheinmetall Electronics, Jyvaskylan Ammattikorkeakoulu, Leonardo, Ministerul Apararii Nationale, National Center for Scientific Research "Demokritos", Naval Group, Naval Group Belgium, Nortal (Talgen Cybersecurity), Space Hellas, STAM SRL, Starion Nederland, ITTI Sp Zoo, Telefonica Moviles Espana, Telelink Business Services EAD, Terma, Thales Belgium, Thales SIX GTS France, Universidad de Murcia, Université du Luxembourg, University of Cyprus, VisionSpace Portugal, and VisionSpace Technologies.