Eight Nations Greenlit for SAFE Funding
The European Commission has approved defence investment plans from eight EU countries under the Security Action for Europe (SAFE) programme, part of the broader Readiness 2030 initiative. Estonia, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and Finland will access a combined €74 billion in loans, with Poland alone requesting €43.7 billion.
SAFE is designed to strengthen Europe’s military capabilities ahead of 2030, a timeline by which intelligence agencies warn Russia could threaten another European nation. This marks the second round of funding approvals, following €38 billion granted to Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Spain, Croatia, Cyprus, Portugal and Romania earlier in January.
Turning Strategy Into Action
Defence Commissioner Andrius Kubilius said the latest approvals demonstrate that Europe is moving from planning to tangible action. “We are no longer just drafting strategies; we are building a hard-power reality,” he said. “This sends a clear signal to European industry and our adversaries alike: Europe is serious about its strength and sovereignty, our militaries need the best and on time.”
So far, 19 member states have applied for SAFE funding, with provisional allocations agreed last September. Czechia, France, and Hungary still await approval. The first disbursements are expected in March 2026, after EU ministers complete a four-week review of the plans.
Supporting European Defence and Industry
SAFE aims to accelerate procurement of key defence equipment, including missiles, artillery, drones, air and missile defence systems, cybersecurity and AI technology, and electronic warfare systems. A critical requirement is that the majority of equipment must be produced in Europe, with no more than 35% of component costs sourced from outside the EU, EEA-EFTA countries, or Ukraine. Canada, through a bilateral agreement, can also participate on equal terms.
The scheme also benefits countries with lower credit ratings, offering them more favourable borrowing terms than they could secure on their own. Germany, whose credit rating matches the Commission’s, chose not to apply for SAFE funding.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has noted the programme’s popularity, with demand already exceeding the initial €150 billion allocation, suggesting the scheme could be expanded in the future.
