Poland Seeks €45B in EU Loans for Defense Procurement Under SAFE Program

Poland has submitted a request for €45 billion in soft loans from the European Union to fund its defense procurement plans.

Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz announced the news, as reported by Defence24.pl.

The application was made under the EU’s new SAFE (Security Action for Europe) program, which aims to boost arms production and strengthen Europe’s defense sector through up to €150 billion in lending.

“We want the funds from this program to enhance the key capabilities of the Polish Armed Forces and support our national security initiatives, including the Eastern Shield program,” Kosiniak-Kamysz wrote on X. “We have submitted projects totaling around €45 billion, but the final amount we receive will depend on the total number of applications and how the European Commission allocates the funding.”

He added that securing the loans would be a strategic investment in both national security and the growth of Poland’s defense industry.

Eligible projects may include domestically produced Krab self-propelled howitzers, Piorun man-portable air-defense systems (MANPADS), and the Borsuk tracked infantry fighting vehicle, according to earlier reports.

The SAFE program also allows for expanded EU support to Ukraine, including greater involvement of European defense manufacturers in the supply chain.