Eight Countries Secured Funding
The European Commission has approved defence investment plans from Estonia, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, and Finland under the EU’s €150 billion Security Action for Europe (SAFE) programme. Collectively, these nations requested €74 billion, with Poland alone accounting for €43.7 billion.
SAFE is a key part of the EU’s Readiness 2030 strategy, which aims to pour hundreds of billions of euros into European defence by the end of the decade, amid warnings that Russia could target another European country. This is the second round of approvals, following €38 billion granted in January to Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Spain, Croatia, Cyprus, Portugal, and Romania.
From Strategy to Action
EU Defence Commissioner Andrius Kubilius said the latest approvals demonstrate Europe’s commitment to translating strategy into real military strength. “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 potential adversaries that Europe is serious about its strength and sovereignty.”
So far, 19 member states have applied for SAFE funding, with provisional allocations agreed last September. Plans from Czechia, France, and Hungary are still pending. EU ministers now have four weeks to approve the plans, with the first disbursements expected in March 2026.
Boosting European Defence Industry
SAFE funding will support the purchase of critical defence equipment, including missiles, artillery, drones, air and missile defence systems, cybersecurity and AI technology, and electronic warfare systems. All equipment must be primarily European-made, with no more than 35% of components sourced outside the EU, EEA-EFTA countries, or Ukraine. Canada can also participate under a bilateral agreement.
The scheme benefits member states with lower credit ratings by offering more favourable borrowing terms than they could obtain individually. Germany, which has a strong credit rating, did not apply for SAFE funding.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen noted that demand for the programme has already exceeded the €150 billion available, raising the possibility that the scheme could be expanded in the future.
