The international delegation, headed by Ana Lucía Bueno, ICRC Public Health Coordinator, and Sujit Panda, Head of the Physical Rehabilitation…
The European Union’s SAFE (Security Action for Europe) financial mechanism, within the framework of the “ReArm Europe / Readiness 2030” plan, is intended to help strengthen Europe’s defense policy and stimulate military procurement.
This was reported by the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.
In 2025, the European Commission presented a plan to strengthen the defense of EU member states. It aims to significantly enhance Europe’s collective defense capability by 2030 through increased funding, stimulation of the European defense industry, improved procurement coordination, enhanced interoperability of weapons, and the creation of a robust deterrence capacity amid growing geopolitical tension, particularly against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine.
Within this strategy, the EU created the SAFE financial instrument — a program that provides long-term loans on favorable terms for states wishing to invest in the EU’s defense-industrial base through joint procurement.
The total volume of SAFE resources amounts to up to €150 billion.
How can Ukraine be involved in this mechanism, and can Ukraine count on the integration of its defense industry into the European ecosystem?
Purpose of the SAFE Mechanism
SAFE is designed to accelerate and scale investments in Europe’s critical defense capabilities. In particular, the program aims to close “gaps” in production capacity, including the ability to manufacture ammunition, weapons, air defense systems, naval, ground, aviation, cyber, and other types of defense products.
The main condition is that procurement must involve at least two states (or a state and a partner country, such as Ukraine) to ensure economies of scale, standardization, and interoperability.
In cases of urgent need, procurement by a single state is allowed during a transitional period.
How Ukraine can participate in SAFE
According to the documents, partner countries, including Ukraine, may be involved in joint procurement on equal terms with EU member states.
At the same time, SAFE loans are provided not directly to Ukraine but to EU member states that assume the obligations. Ukraine may act as a defense product supplier or as a project partner.
In 2025, 19 EU member states developed and submitted so-called “national investment plans” for participation in SAFE, including countries that have already expressed readiness to carry out joint projects with Ukraine.
Thanks to involvement in the EU mechanism, Ukrainian enterprises will be able to become official suppliers under joint contracts with the European Union, while member states will be able to order products from Ukraine’s defense industry using SAFE funds.
Ukraine has already offered its capabilities in the production of ammunition, FPV drones, long-range drones, and, in particular, various types of missiles.
In effect, SAFE has become the first EU instrument to create a formal framework for the economic integration of Ukraine’s defense industry into the European defense system.
SAFE is a large-scale EU investment step that creates a new opportunity for Ukraine—not merely to receive military assistance, but to become part of the European defense-industrial system.
SAFE is a chance for Europe and Ukraine to jointly enhance defense readiness in response to new challenges.
