Countries in the EU have expressed clear interest in taking advantage of the funding instrument.  

A total of 18 EU member states have signed up to take advantage of the EUR150 billion Security Action for Europe (SAFE) defence fund, a 30 July announcement from the European Commission has revealed. 

The commission said at least EUR127 billion of the SAFE fund has been requested by European countries, namely Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, and Spain.  

SAFE is a funding instrument unveiled by the EU under the ReArm Europe plan and elaborated on as part of the White Paper for European Defence, both unveiled in March 2025. 

This expression of interest in the fund will allow the commission to better understand and manage demand, the commission said, as well as prepare for raising the money on the capital markets. The deadline for submissions to request access to SAFE is 30 November.  

Details of how much each country is looking to use of the fund have not been released in full, though comments made by Italian government officials suggest Italy wants to use EUR15 billion worth of SAFE loans, according to reporting from Reuters.  

“The strong interest in SAFE, with at least EUR127 billion in potential defence procurements, demonstrates the EU's unity and ambition in security and defence”, Andrius Kubilius, Commissioner for Defence and Space, commented. 

“We remain committed to supporting EU countries in their efforts to enhance European security. SAFE is a symbol of our collective commitment to strengthen our defence readiness for a safer and united future”, Kubilius added.  

SAFE continues to gain traction  

The fund is only available to members of the EU, though the pressing issue of European rearmament means it has received a lot of attention from member states and non-member states alike. 

Following its signing of a security partnership with the EU, for example, the UK is now looking to take advantage of the SAFE fund, as is Canada which also recently signed a security partnership with the EU. 

DSEI Gateway News is part of DSEI UK and the broader Clarion Defence portfolio. 
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