Poland is interested in unused EU SAFE defence funds, Deputy Minister of National Defence Paweł Zalewski said Tuesday, indicating the country will seek additional financing to expand its military capabilities.
Poland’s existing SAFE commitment
Under the Security Action for Europe (SAFE) programme, the nation signed a loan agreement that earmarks €43.7 billion for defence upgrades. The bloc launched SAFE in May 2025 as part of the ReArm Europe/Readiness 2030 plan, creating a €150 billion loan instrument for urgent, large‑scale projects. In May 2026, Warsaw received a pre‑financing tranche of €6.6 billion, roughly 15 % of its allocation.
The funds are intended to modernise the armed forces, a priority as geopolitical tensions rise across the continent. The loan structure allows the government to tap the money for specific projects, subject to EU oversight.
Seeking the unclaimed pool
Zalewski told Polish Radio that a “playoff” will occur in talks with the European Commission, where the capital will present proposals for assets that have not yet been claimed by other member states. He said the focus would be on acquiring military transport aircraft and aerial refuelling platforms.
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According to the report, the EU programme retains a wider pool of funds that remain unused. The country aims to tap this surplus, arguing that the additional resources would enhance its ability to move troops and sustain air operations over longer distances.
Negotiations are expected to follow the standard SAFE assessment process, which evaluates the strategic relevance of each project and its compliance with EU defence objectives.
While the exact timeline for these discussions was not disclosed, the deputy minister emphasized that the nation will move quickly to submit its proposals, hoping to lock in the funds before other states claim the remaining pool.
From a practical standpoint, the ability to access unused SAFE money may shorten the gap between the current fleet and the level needed for NATO’s collective defence commitments. It could also reduce reliance on domestic budget allocations, easing pressure on the national treasury.
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EU response and broader implications
The European Commission has not yet commented on the request, but the agency typically evaluates each member’s application on a case‑by‑case basis. The SAFE instrument is designed to be flexible, allowing countries to adapt to evolving security environments.
Should the country obtain the extra funds, it would become the largest single beneficiary of the SAFE programme, reinforcing its role as a key NATO ally on the alliance’s eastern flank.
The upcoming negotiations will likely involve detailed project descriptions, cost estimates, and timelines, all of which must align with EU strategic goals. The outcome could set a precedent for how other members approach unused portions of the loan pool.
For now, Warsaw appears prepared to make a case for its specific needs, hoping that the EU will view the proposed transport and refuelling assets as enhancing overall European security.
