Poland will receive the largest share of the EU’s SAFE defense loans among the 19 countries that applied. This could account for €45 billion of the planned €150 billion.
The information was confirmed by the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, who noted that the program would be a powerful tool for joint procurement. She also noted that this would open the way for investment in Ukraine's defense industry.
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Putin has not changed.In the last 25 years he started four wars.He can only be kept in check through strong deterrence.We must be precise and fast with the surge in our defence posture ↓ https://t.co/K8jFoTYIDt — Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) August 31, 2025
The plan also allows flexibility in ordering, letting countries purchase independently during the first year before transitioning to the standard procurement procedure that allows only joint purchases with other EU participants. Poland was especially insistent on that amendment and was lobbying for it.
It is known that Italy, Poland, Spain, France, Bulgaria, Romania, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Croatia, Portugal, Hungary, Slovakia, Cyprus, Finland, Greece, Lithuania, and Latvia have submitted applications to SAFE.
The program offers preferential loans to EU member states, worth up to €150 billion. However, only defense equipment made in Europe or Ukraine is eligible for purchase.
Poland's interest in the SAFE program covers Krab howitzers, Piorun man-portable air defense systems, Warmate kamikaze UAVs, Borsuk infantry fighting vehicles, and other military equipment. New production sites in EU countries and possibly Ukraine are likely to be added to the list.
At the same time, the country does not neglect funds from other countries, such as the United States and South Korea, whose weapons and equipment are also actively purchased for the needs of the Polish Army. New AH-64E Apache attack helicopters, K2 and Abrams tanks, F-16 upgrades, and more were ordered.
Loans are an effective and flexible instrument to rapidly bolster defense capabilities, especially in the current security environment. However, they must be repaid. The SAFE initiative is expected to boost EU industry, reducing dependence on the U.S. and other countries while potentially generating economic benefits.
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