On 15 January 2026, the European Commission approved the national defence plans of eight EU Member States under the SAFE procedure—the EU’s loan programme designed to support defence investments. The approved countries include Belgium, Denmark, Spain, Cyprus and Portugal, among others. Further national plans, including Poland’s, are still awaiting approval. However, interest in defence funding has proven so strong that the European Commission is already considering preparing a second SAFE programme.
“The scale of interest in the SAFE fund has surprised not only the President of the European Commission, but the entire Commission,” said Michał Szczerba, Member of the European Parliament from Civic Platform (KO), speaking to Newseria. “This idea, launched during Poland’s presidency of the Council of the European Union, has turned out to be an absolute hit—exactly what the moment demanded. As a result, the number of applications and the scale of requested allocations are significantly higher than the €150 billion initially earmarked for the programme.”
The SAFE programme was approved by the Council of the European Union in May 2025. Its aim is to provide financial support to Member States for major armament and defence investments, thereby accelerating Europe’s overall defence readiness. The programme has a total envelope of €150 billion, to be distributed in the form of low-interest, long-term loans.
“During the Politico gala, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen suggested that, given the willingness of many EU countries to continue strengthening their armed forces, developing their defence industries and implementing joint projects—including joint public procurement—it may be time to consider a new edition of the SAFE programme once the current funds have been fully allocated,” Szczerba noted.
So far, the European Commission has approved national defence plans for eight Member States: Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Spain, Croatia, Cyprus, Portugal and Romania. Preliminary funding levels for each country were set in September. Romania is expected to receive approximately €16.7 billion in loans, while Cyprus is set to receive €1.18 billion. In total, these eight countries will receive €38 billion. The Commission has submitted a proposal to the Council to formally approve this financial assistance. The Commission President has indicated that additional countries will soon join this group.
“All indications suggest that an agreement with the Polish government will be signed as early as March, which would result in the automatic and immediate disbursement of 15% of the funds allocated to our request,” the Polish MEP emphasized.
Poland is the largest beneficiary of the SAFE programme. From the available pool, it is set to receive nearly €44 billion. Poland’s application covers 139 projects, with the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces playing a decisive role in drawing up the list by identifying concrete operational needs and requirements.
“Our projects will of course be subject to evaluation, but we can say that we have prepared them with a margin. Their total value exceeds the €44 billion allocation—we have proposed an additional €20 billion worth of projects. Our objective is for the vast majority of these funds to remain in Poland, meaning that the contracts we implement should be co-led or directly executed by the Polish defence industry,” Szczerba explained.
Nearly 90% of the funds are expected to go to companies in Poland’s defence sector, both state-owned and private.
“I am also pleased by the initiative to cooperate with the Ukrainian defence industry. We want to benefit from new technologies and innovative solutions in areas such as counter-drone systems and drone production—technologies that Ukraine is testing every day on the battlefield,” the KO politician added.
Under the SAFE programme’s rules, Ukraine, as well as countries from the EFTA/EEA area, may participate in joint procurement initiatives. In its application, Poland declared its intention to cooperate with Ukraine, including acquiring Ukrainian technologies and launching their production at domestic facilities.
“When we look at the 2025 calendar, the transition from concept to implementation of SAFE has been remarkably fast by Brussels standards,” Szczerba said. “I am absolutely convinced that if today the President of the Commission and the prime ministers of the eastern flank countries are speaking with one voice about this need, the European Union will take responsibility for its own security. Developments in U.S. strategy clearly show that Europe will have to assume greater responsibility for itself—for the entire continent and its security.”
Funds provided under the first SAFE programme may be used to finance priority defence products grouped into two categories. The first includes ammunition and missiles, artillery systems, soldier equipment and infantry weapons, small drones (NATO Class 1) and related counter-drone systems, as well as the protection of critical infrastructure. The second category covers air and missile defence systems, NATO Class 2 and 3 drones and related counter-drone systems, strategic airlift, air-to-air refuelling, C4ISTAR systems, and space-based assets and services.
“Let us also remember that, in addition to SAFE, we have the European Defence Investment Programme—EDIP—worth €1.5 billion, which also includes a component for cooperation with Ukraine. These funds must also be used effectively, by linking industry with research and development,” Szczerba concluded.
