On Wednesday, 30 July 2025, the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space (DEFIS) announced that 18 European Union member states have expressed initial interest in loans under the SAFE (Security Action for Europe) program.
Image: DEFIS
According to the published information, the following countries submitted preliminary declarations by the deadline of 29 July this year:
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Greece
- Spain
- Lithuania
- Latvia
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Slovakia
- Hungary
- Italy
The total amount of declared interest stands at 127 billion EUR, out of a budget of 150 billion USD.
Andrius Kubilius, Commissioner for Defence and Space overseeing the instrument under the SAFE programme, said:
“The strong interest in SAFE, with at least €127 billion in potential defence procurements, demonstrates the EU’s unity and ambition in security and defence. We remain committed to supporting EU countries in their efforts to enhance European security. SAFE is a symbol of our collective commitment to strengthen our defence readiness for a safer and united future.”
An early expression of interest will allow the European Commission to assess demand and prepare to raise funds on the capital markets. The deadline for formally submitting applications under the SAFE program, focused on national defense investment plans, is 30 November 2025. By January 2026, the Council of the EU is expected to adopt implementing decisions, and by February 2026, credit agreements and operational arrangements should be finalized, with advance payments starting to be disbursed.
According to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, Poland submitted a preliminary declaration amounting to approximately 45 billion EUR (192.29 billion PLN), representing over 35% of the total value of all applications (Poland submitted applications worth 45 billion EUR under the SAFE instrument).
SAFE is an extraordinary instrument launched under Article 122 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, in response to a deteriorating threat environment for member states, particularly due to the threat posed by Russia and the possibility of reduced U.S. engagement in Europe. The EU Council adopted the instrument for joint financing of defense procurement under SAFE.
Disbursements will take the form of competitively priced and attractively structured long-term loans, which will be repaid by the beneficiary member states. The loans will be backed by the EU budget. SAFE will enable member states to immediately and significantly scale up defense investments through joint procurement from the European defense industry, focusing on priority capabilities. This will help ensure interoperability, predictability, and cost reduction, strengthening the European defense industrial base.
Ukraine and countries from the European Free Trade Association (EFTA)/European Economic Area (EEA) will be able to join joint procurement efforts, and purchases will be possible within their sectors (as of 30 June this year, Ukraine expressed interest in participating in the instrument—editor’s note).
SAFE will also allow accession countries, candidate countries, potential candidates, and countries that have signed Security and Defence Partnerships with the EU to take part in joint procurement and contribute to increased demand. They may also negotiate specific, mutually beneficial agreements for the participation of their respective industries in such procurement.