Eighteen member states want to definitely take on 127 billion in defense loans
SAFE is part of the large rearmament plan proposed by the European Commission in March, with which it hopes to mobilize an additional 800 billion euros for defense in the coming years.
Through this new vehicle, the Commission aims to borrow up to 150 billion to provide financing for member states that want to invest together in the defense industry and address weaknesses in European defense. They can also use the money to purchase military equipment for Ukraine or to invest directly in the Ukrainian defense industry.
Eighteen countries have already expressed interest in such loans: Belgium, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Spain, France, Croatia, Italy, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, and Finland. They want to borrow at least 127 billion euros together, according to the Commission in a press release.
“The strong interest in SAFE demonstrates the unity and ambition of the EU in the field of security and defense. We remain committed to supporting EU countries in their efforts to strengthen European security,” responds European Commissioner for Defense Andrius Kubilius. “SAFE is a symbol of our collective commitment to enhance our readiness around defense for a stronger and united future.”
After the “soft deadline” on Tuesday, which gives the Commission a good initial assessment of the resources needed, the formal deadline for submitting applications follows on November 30, 2025.
