On 15 January 2026, the European Commission approved the national defence plans of 8 associate States under the SAFE procedure, the EU Defence Investment debt Scheme. Among them were 8 associate States, including Belgium, Denmark, Spain, Cyprus and Portugal. Further plans are waiting for approval, including Poland. However, the interest in defence-building measures is so large that the European Commission is considering preparing the second SAFE programme.
– The scale of interest in SAFE amazed the president of the European Commission, but besides the Commission as a whole. This thought from the Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union proved to be an absolute hit, a request for a moment, so the scale of the proposals and the scale of the allocation needs is importantly higher than the measures foreseen at the level of EUR 150 billion says Mr Michał Szczerba, associate of the European Parliament from the Civic Coalition.
The SAFE programme was approved by the Council of the European Union in May 2025. It is intended to supply financial support to associate States for large arms investments and thus accelerate their defence readiness. There is EUR 150 billion in the SAFE pool, which will be paid in the form of inexpensive long-term loans.
– During the Politico Gala, the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen suggested that, as any of the European Union's countries want to proceed to arm, make their industries and jointly implement projects, but besides joint public procurement, it is time to reflect on the fresh edition of the SAFE programme erstwhile these funds are already being transferred – points to Michał Szczerba.
So far, the European Commission has approved the national defence plans of 8 associate States: Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Spain, Croatia, Cyprus, Portugal and Romania. The backing levels for each country were pre-established in September. Romania is expected to receive around EUR 16.7 billion of loans from this group and Cyprus EUR 1.18 billion. A full of EUR 38 billion will be allocated to these 8 countries. The Commission has submitted to the Council a proposal to approve this financial assistance. The president of the EC pointed out that the another countries would shortly join.
– All indicates that the agreement with the Polish government will be signed in March, resulting in a mechanical, direct, automatic transfer of 15% of funds from our request – emphasises the Euro MP from KO.
Poland is the largest beneficiary of SAFE. It is expected to receive nearly €44 billion from the available pool. The request made by our country includes 139 projects, and the General Staff of the Polish Army played a decisive function in drawing up the list. It indicated circumstantial needs and requirements.
– Our projects will be evaluated, but it can be said that we have prepared them with a surplus. They exceed this allocation of €44 billion, we have proposed an additional €20 billion and projects in this area. We want the vast majority of these measures to stay in Poland, i.e. that the orders that we will carry out are co-financed or straight managed by the Polish arms manufacture – explains Michał Szczerba.
Almost 90% of the funds are to go to companies of the Polish arms manufacture from both the state and private sectors.
– I besides welcome the initiative to cooperate with the Ukrainian industry. We want to usage fresh technologies, fresh solutions for anti-drone systems or drone production, which Ukraine checks on the battlefield all day – says politician KO.
According to the objectives of the SAFE programme, Ukraine, as well as the EFTA/EEA countries, may join joint procurement. Poland declared cooperation with Ukraine in its application. We will aim, among others, to get Ukrainian technologies and launch their production in national plants.
– When we look at the calendar of 2025, from the thought to the implementation of SAFE, this is just a minute for Brussels standards. I am absolutely convinced that if present the president of the Commission and the prime ministers of the east flank countries are talking about this need, the European Union will be liable for its security. The US strategy shows straight that we will gotta presume work for Europe, for the full continent and its safety – added the Europarliamentarian.
Measures in the form of loans from the first SAFE programme may be allocated to the financing of precedence defence products divided into 2 categories. The first includes ammunition and missiles, artillery systems, equipment for soldiers and infantry weapons, tiny drones (NATO class 1) and related anti-drone systems or critical infrastructure protection. The second included air and rocket defence systems, NATO 2 and 3 drones and related drone systems, strategical air transport, air refuelling, C4ISTAR systems, and space resources and services.
– Let us besides remember that, in addition to the resources of SAFE, we have the European Armed Investment Fund (EDIP) at our disposal – EUR 1.5 billion, besides with the Ukrainian cooperation component. These funds must besides be used, combining industry, investigation and improvement – explains Michał Szczerba.
