The European Union, faced with major geopolitical shifts, is placing increasing emphasis on strengthening its defence capabilities. To this end, it has launched programmes such as the European Defence Industry Programme and SAFE, whose funds are intended to stimulate Europe’s defence industry. Work is also underway on the creation of a so-called military Schengen zone. In July, the European Parliament is expected to vote on the relevant regulations.
“First, Europe decided to invest huge sums of money in security. Second, it appointed a Commissioner for Defence. Third, it launched three programmes: Military Mobility, EDIP and SAFE. The latter is the most widely discussed because enormous amounts of money are involved. It is a 45-year loan, and 19 countries have already used it. Those that have not are asking whether there will be a SAFE 2,” Dariusz Joński, a Member of the European Parliament from Poland’s Civic Coalition, told Newseria.
Under the Security Action for Europe instrument, known as SAFE, the European Union provides financial assistance in the form of loans worth up to EUR 150 billion in total. The instrument is designed to help Member States rapidly and significantly increase defence investment through joint procurement. The programme is financed through the European Union’s borrowing capacity by issuing EU bonds under a unified funding approach.
Poland has become the largest beneficiary of the programme, with the Council of the EU approving more than EUR 43 billion for the country. According to the Polish government, most of this amount is expected to remain in the domestic defence industry.
“We are not able to produce everything ourselves. However, we would like to use European capabilities so that we support European industry and jobs. This is possible, and it is happening. Each country is preparing a list of companies and entities that will be able to become involved in this process,” the Civic Coalition MEP emphasised.
As Prime Minister Donald Tusk stressed in February this year, almost 12,000 companies cooperating with the Polish defence industry are expected to benefit from the SAFE programme. According to announcements by Polish government representatives, the first funds from SAFE are to reach Poland as early as May this year. The head of the Ministry of National Defence announced on social media that the final agreement with the European Commission is to be signed on 8 May.
“Purchases in Poland and Europe are not entirely welcomed across the ocean or outside Europe in general. However, even American banks have calculated exactly how much Poland will gain if we invest 80% of SAFE funds domestically. They have calculated how many billions will be injected into jobs, technical expertise and companies. Polish entrepreneurs and engineers will benefit, and Polish technical know-how will also be exported beyond Europe. We will gain jobs, thriving companies, know-how, research and development,” Joński said.
EDIP, in turn, is the European Defence Industry Programme, a EUR 1.5 billion instrument financed from the EU’s multiannual budget for 2021–2027. The grants are intended to help increase Europe’s defence readiness in 2025–2027.
Although security and defence remain national competences, the EU complements and strengthens the individual efforts of Member States, both by enabling them to increase national defence spending and by using EU budgetary resources. The geopolitical environment has changed significantly since Russia launched its war against Ukraine in 2022.
“The 27 Member States decided to launch three security programmes, listening to what Trump says: take care of your own security yourselves. Besides, the war is next to us, so we must respond together,” the MEP said. “Cooperation between European countries must be tightened even further.”
One area of joint response to threats is the project to create a so-called military Schengen zone. According to the timetable, the relevant rules are expected to enter into force in 2027.
“The European Union currently has huge shortcomings when it comes to military mobility. Equipment often stands at the border for 30 days,” Joński explained. “In July, we want to vote in the European Parliament on changes that, in the event of a threat, would allow troops and heavy equipment to be moved quickly between countries.”
In a resolution adopted in December 2025, Members of the European Parliament called for increased investment in transport infrastructure, especially along the four EU military mobility corridors. They also demanded that the issuing of permits for cross-border movement be accelerated through a single point of contact.
“It is not the case that everything and everyone will be able to move freely. Both the government sending the equipment and the government receiving it will have to confirm it. The document also defines the corridors through which such transport will be possible, including air and maritime routes. In addition, the quantity of equipment, wagons, tanks and ships has been precisely specified. All this is to ensure that no one can challenge it,” the Civic Coalition MEP noted.
The plan presented by the European Commission also includes, among other measures, the creation of institutions responsible for directing the implementation of these regulations and monitoring the readiness of Member States.
“We are currently in a fast-track procedure for adopting these documents and amendments. The aim is to make military Schengen function across Europe. Just as we can drive by car from Poland to Portugal without showing a passport, in the event of a threat, heavy equipment will also be able to be moved quickly with the consent of governments,” Dariusz Joński emphasised.
