– 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 Newseria Michał Szczerba, associate of the European Parliament from the KO.
Further plans are waiting for approval, including Poland
On 15 January this year, 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 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.
So far, the European Commission has approved the national defence plans of 8 associate States
– During the Politico Gala, president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen suggested that as any European Union countries want to proceed to arm themselves, 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 have been transferred," says 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.
Poland is the largest beneficiary of SAFE
– All points to the fact that the agreement with the Polish government will be signed in March, which will consequence in mechanical, direct, automatic transfer of 15% of the funds from our needs – 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 proposal made by our country includes 139 projects, and the HR General Staff played a decisive function in drawing up the list. It indicated circumstantial needs and requirements.
Almost 90% of the funds are to go to Polish arms companies
– 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-conducted or straight conducted 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.
We will aim, among others, to get Ukrainian technologies and launch their production in national plants
– I besides welcome the initiative to cooperate with the Ukrainian industry. We want to usage fresh technologies, fresh solutions in the field of anti-drone systems or drone production, which Ukraine checks on the battlefield all day," says KO politician.
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.
The US strategy shows straight that we will gotta presume work for Europe, for the full continent and its security
– erstwhile we look at the calendar of 2025, from the thought to the implementation of SAFE it 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 for its security," added the Euro-Parliamentary.
