On Wednesday, February 11, 2026, in Warsaw, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz took part in a conference dedicated to the implementation of the SAFE program, organized by Portal Obronny – Grupa ZPR. The event was attended by representatives of the government administration, the defense industry sector, and industry experts.
Photos: Krzysztof Niedziela/MOND
“The SAFE program is a Polish initiative. When Poland assumed the Presidency of the European Union, it clearly placed defense and security at the top of the agenda. The SAFE program increases opportunities to procure equipment from Polish defense companies. These funds are also funds for other European countries that will likewise make purchases in Poland,” said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz during the opening of the conference dedicated to the implementation of the SAFE program.
“The SAFE program does not limit our capabilities – it expands them. The strategy of our government, also presented by my political party Polish People’s Party (PSL) during the campaign, is clear: 50% of expenditures in Poland, 50% with our allies. This cannot be achieved without radically accelerating investment in the Polish defense industry and procurement within Poland, both in the private and state-owned sectors. What has also changed is the equal treatment of private and state-owned industry. There is one more element that is completely overlooked – SAFE funds are also resources for other European countries, which will likewise purchase equipment in Europe, including in Poland, such as Piorun air-defense systems, Wizjer reconnaissance systems, Borsuk infantry fighting vehicles, and Baobab scatterable mine-laying vehicles. SAFE therefore has two meanings: increasing defense potential and strengthening the potential of the Polish defense industry. Poland needs both, because in each case we require investment and equipment compatible with European and American systems – and that is exactly what will be delivered,” the head of the Ministry of National Defense emphasized during the discussion.
The head of the Ministry of National Defense emphasized the importance of SAFE program funding for national security.
“The threat from Russia is present everywhere, not only for frontline states. That is why the SAFE program is a priority. We are here today together with Minister Sobkowiak-Czarnecka, who is directly responsible for implementing this instrument and carrying out the program in Poland. Because this is not a program solely for the military. I want to stress a very important element: the program also includes the Ministry of the Interior and Administration – above all the Border Guard, the Police, infrastructure, cross-border connections, and military mobility, which could not be carried out without roads or rail routes,” the minister noted.
The aim of the conference “SAFE – What Next?” was to present a comprehensive overview of the SAFE program, discuss its underlying principles, and highlight its importance for the development of the domestic defense industry. The conference provided a platform for the exchange of knowledge and experience between public administration, the private sector, and the expert community, with particular emphasis on the strategic and operational aspects related to the program’s implementation. The event was held under the patronage of the Polish Ministry of National Defense.
“Another task lies ahead of us, one that we have already outlined today: to use the SAFE program to make Poland a place where other countries will carry out their defense procurement, to develop our own export hits, and to spark interest among other Member States in our products. (…) We want a portion of the funds that other Member States receive to also flow to Poland to some extent. That is the plan for the coming months,” emphasized Government Plenipotentiary Magdalena Sobkowiak-Czarnecka during the discussion.
