The European Commission has endorsed the national defence plans of eight EU Member States, marking a major step in Europe’s efforts to strengthen its security and military readiness. The Commission has submitted a proposal to the Council to approve financial support for Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Spain, Croatia, Cyprus, Portugal and Romania.
President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said the move follows a year of “more progress in defence than in decades,” highlighting the EU’s White Paper and the Readiness Roadmap 2030 as key tools that allowed Member States to mobilise up to €800 billion for defence, including €150 billion earmarked for joint procurement under the Security Action for Europe (SAFE) initiative.
“We have now approved an initial batch of SAFE plans for Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Spain, Croatia, Cyprus, Portugal and Romania. The others will follow shortly after. It is now urgent for the Council to approve these plans to allow fast disbursement,” she said.
Strengthening military readiness
The SAFE initiative, adopted on 27 May 2025 as part of the Readiness 2030 defence package, allows Member States to rapidly scale up military investments through joint procurement of modern equipment, boosting interoperability and reducing costs while supporting the European defence industry. The scheme also provides a framework for Ukraine, EFTA/EEA countries, candidate and potential candidate countries, and partners with Security and Defence Agreements to participate in common procurement.
Under the SAFE plans, €1.18 billion has been earmarked for Cyprus and €16.68 billion for Romania. Altogether, the eight Member States are entitled to around €38 billion once loan agreements are finalised. The funds will enable countries to acquire essential defence capabilities and strengthen military readiness.
With the Commission’s assessment complete, the Council now has four weeks to adopt the implementing decisions. Once approved, the Commission will finalise the loan agreements, with the first payments expected in March 2026.
Defence industry jobs
Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, said: “Europe’s security is our top priority and there is no time for incremental steps. With the SAFE initiative, we are building our defence readiness at record speed. This is not just about investment; it is about ensuring our infrastructure and technologies are resilient and that we stand firmly with Ukraine. Today, we move from the stage of opportunities to the stage of delivery.”
Andrius Kubilius, Commissioner for Defence and Space, added: “Our mission is clear: to very quickly build a more resilient Union through our SAFE initiative. By focusing on joint procurement, we ensure that Member States buy together, which reduces costs and ensures our equipment works seamlessly across borders. This is about growing, innovating and creating more jobs in the EU defence industry.”