Commission Approves First Wave of Defence Funding under SAFE
Commission Approval

Strengthening European security through an initial batch of SAFE plans for Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Spain, Croatia, Cyprus, Portugal and Romania.

Total Readiness Plan

€800 Billion

Mobilized for European defence

SAFE Facility

€150 Billion

For joint procurement loans

First Wave Total

€38 Billion

Allocated to 8 Member States

A Strategic Security Milestone

President Ursula von der Leyen has announced the endorsement of national defence plans for eight Member States. Following a rigorous assessment under the **Security Action for Europe (SAFE)** initiative, this decision paves the way for low-cost, long-term loans to scale up military readiness and modernize European equipment.

SAFE Fund Utilization

The "First Wave" accounts for approximately 25% of the total €150 billion SAFE envelope, with remaining plans expected shortly.

Provisional Allocations (Wave 1)

Romania tentatively receives €16.68 billion, while Cyprus is earmarked for €1.18 billion to boost strategic capabilities.

Strategic Priorities

🛡️

National Defence Investment

Rigorous assessments ensure that national plans align with broader EU strategic interests and priority capabilities.

🤝

Solidarity & Transparency

Funding levels are set based on shared European values, ensuring support reaches where it is needed most.

🇺🇦

Ukraine Integration

SAFE ensures Ukraine is integrated into the EU security ecosystem, making military support rapid and sustainable.

🏗️

Industrial Readiness

The "Readiness Roadmap 2030" drives an investment surge to modernize the European defence industrial base.

Next Steps to Disbursement

Regulation Adopted

SAFE Regulation established on May 27, 2025, providing the financial levers for investment.

Council Approval (Current)

The Council has four weeks to adopt the implementing decisions for the endorsed plans.

Loan Agreements

Once approved by the Council, the Commission will finalize individual loan agreements with the 8 states.

First Payments

Expected to hit the ground in March 2026, enabling immediate procurement of equipment.

Data sourced from European Commission official announcements (January 2026).

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