Remarks by Executive Vice-President Virkkunen and Commissioner Kubilius on the allocation of loan amounts to Member States under SAFE
The European Commission has announced a major milestone in strengthening the EU’s defence readiness through the “Readiness 2030” initiative and its central component, the Security Action for Europe (SAFE) instrument. SAFE provides up to €150 billion in loans to EU Member States to boost defence capabilities, encourage joint procurement, and support Ukraine against Russia’s aggression. Nineteen Member States have already subscribed to the full amount, with countries like Poland, Romania, France, Hungary, and Italy receiving the largest allocations. Beyond funding, SAFE aims to unify European defence procurement, enhance interoperability, and build the EU’s defence industrial base. The Commission emphasized the speed and efficiency of implementation, framing SAFE as both a financial and political statement of Europe’s commitment to rapid and coordinated defence strengthening in response to evolving security threats.