The European Commission is set to finalise a major loan deal with Poland, unlocking a €6.5 billion advance under the EU’s SAFE defence financing scheme. This represents 15%

of Poland’s total allocation, paving the way for national-level military projects to begin.

Speaking to reporters, Commission spokesman Eric Regnier said, “We’re fully committed to the Polish national plan. We look forward to implementing it without delays.”

Regnier emphasized that the Commission remains determined to move forward despite domestic political tensions in Poland, following President Karol Nawrocki’s veto of government-backed legislation implementing the SAFE instrument.

Describing Poland as the “bastion of the eastern front,” Regnier praised Warsaw for submitting a “solid and well-prepared plan” that received rapid approval from Brussels. He stressed that the Commission would not intervene in Poland’s internal political debate, noting that the legal framework for implementing SAFE – whether through legislation or government resolution – is entirely up to Polish authorities.

“We need Poland on board,” Regnier added.

The EU’s SAFE (Support for Armed Forces Equipment) program provides €150 billion in low-interest loans to member states, primarily for military equipment procurement. Poland is the scheme’s largest beneficiary, with €43.7 billion allocated – nearly a third of the total SAFE pool.

So far, 16 EU countries have had their national plans approved under SAFE, underscoring the bloc’s commitment to bolstering defence capabilities amid ongoing regional security challenges. Photo by Szczebrzeszynski, Wikimedia commons.