The taskforce will help regulate how EU member states are using the defence fund.

The European Commission has launched a taskforce to deliver the EU’s Security Action for Europe (SAFE) fund for member states, a 16 July commission announcement has revealed.

Called the ‘SAFE Special Group’, this taskforce will be made up of representatives nominated by the EU member states looking to access the EUR150 billion defence fund, as well as commission and EU officials.

The member states’ ‘Special Group Representatives (SGRs)’ will act as an interface between their governments and the commission, a separate announcement revealed, convening with commission representatives to share overviews of the progress their nations are making in implementing SAFE.

The commission will help to address any questions that member sates may have about SAFE, as well as support them via the SGRs through procedural updates, explanatory templates, supporting documents, and coordination on loan value and agreement process.

Other specific duties of the SGRs include advising the commission on national investment plans, national administrative procedures, or any other national issues which concern the implementation of SAFE. They will also liaise with other SGRs to coordinate on common procurement projects.

Additionally, SGRs will coordinate with countries outside the EU. This includes Ukraine, acceding countries, potential EU candidates, and countries in the European Economic Area and European Free Trade Association, along with any countries that have signed security and defence agreements with the EU.

As SGRs will operate largely at the national level and in accordance with their member states’ involvement in SAFE, the commission noted, the type and level of coordination may vary between countries.

The first SAFE Special Group meeting will be held in September 2025, with a minimum of two meetings a year set to take place.

What is SAFE?

First mentioned as part of the ReArm Europe plan and elaborated on as part of the White Paper for European Defence, both unveiled in March 2025, SAFE is an investment vehicle designed to enable common procurements amongst EU member states, and other future participating nations (the UK and Canada are looking to join).  

Under SAFE, EUR150 billion is available for pan-European defence investments in areas like air and missile defence, artillery systems, missiles and ammunition, drones and anti-drone systems, and cyber capabilities.

DSEI Gateway News is part of DSEI UK and the broader Clarion Defence portfolio. 
Enjoy reading this article?  Click here to read more about our upcoming DSEI membership offering...