Poland will receive a evidence amount of EUR 43.7 billion from the EU defence programme SAFE - announced on Tuesday by the Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz (PSL). "We got it! The European Commission has announced that EUR 43.7 billion from the SAFE programme will go to Poland!" - wrote the head of MON on the X platform.
This is the largest amount of 19 associate States that have submitted proposals to the European Commission for a full of EUR 150 billion. Poland will become the largest beneficiary of the full program of low-interest defence loans.
Investment in Polish Defence
The government plans to allocate funds from the fund to strengthen key capabilities of the Polish Army. The money will finance air and rocket defenses, artillery systems and the acquisition of ammunition, drones and anti-drone systems.
"It will besides support strategical capabilities, protection of critical infrastructure, military mobility and cyberspace" - added Kosiniak-Kamish. The Minister emphasized that funds are a large investment in jobs in Poland, but above all in national security.
Details of financing
Kosiniak-Kamish received information about the allocation in a letter from EU Commissioner for Defence Andrius Kubilius. The repayment of loans will start only 10 years after receiving funds, which will importantly facilitate Poland's defence budget management.
The Minister argued that this day is moving to past as a breakthrough for financing the safety strategy of the Polish state. He pointed out that the SAFE instrument is intended to increase NATO capabilities by strengthening the army of European states alternatively than replacing the Alliance.
Cooperation with Ukraine
When asked about the anticipation of carrying out part of the investment together with Ukraine, Kosiniak-Kamysz replied that Poland is interested. He stressed the importance of specified cooperation in the context of fresh emotions connected with the presence of Ukrainians in Poland.
"Poles have given large aid to Ukrainian neighbours and anticipate them to invest in Polish-Ukrainian relations too" - said the minister. According to the European Commission, associate States have until the end of November 2025 to prepare national investment plans.
The first payments from the SAFE programme are planned for the beginning of 2026, following the evaluation of national plans by the European Commission. The programme was established during the Polish Presidency of the Council of the EU as part of a plan to set up Europe in consequence to Russia's military potential.
Sources used: "PAP" Note: This article was edited with the aid of Artificial Intelligence.
