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EU SAFE defence financing instrument

The EUR 150 billion SAFE instrument for pan-European defence projects and common capabilities, including country participation.

15 tracked statements0 events

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Von der Leyen

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Events and statements, in date order.

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Von der Leyen
European Union
May 19, 2025, 12:52 PM
Direct quote
“This is a new chapter in our EU-UK partnership.”
Von der Leyen announces a new chapter in the EU-UK partnership and notes the new security and defence partnership.
Source excerpt
This is a new chapter in our EU-UK partnership. Starting with our Security & Defence Partnership. It’s first step towards the UK’s participation in our defence industrial readiness SAFE ↓ europa.eu/!VgjqKg
On launching the new EU-UK partnership.
Bluesky Full record
Von der Leyen
European Union
May 21, 2025, 10:10 AM
Direct quote
“our Defence Industrial Readiness Loan Instrument, SAFE, has been agreed by Member States.”
Von der Leyen announces agreement by Member States on the SAFE defense loan instrument and emphasizes Europe is taking greater responsibility for its own defense.
Source excerpt
Excellent news – our Defence Industrial Readiness Loan Instrument, SAFE, has been agreed by Member States. Europe is taking greater responsibility for its own defence in an increasingly dangerous world. ↓
On the approval of the SAFE defense loan instrument.
Bluesky Full record
Von der Leyen
European Union
Jul 10, 2025, 04:29 PM
Statement summary
Von der Leyen states that Europe mobilises urgently needed military support for Ukraine
Von der Leyen states that Europe stands firmly with Ukraine amid Russian attacks, notes that SAFE mobilises urgently needed military support, and says that the Coalition of the Willing keeps up pressure on Russia.
Source excerpt
We stand firmly with Ukraine amid the devastating Russian attacks. With SAFE, Europe is mobilising urgently needed military support. And with the Coalition of the Willing we keep up the pressure, to bring Russia to the negotiating table. → europa.eu/!gbVNcn
Bluesky Full record
Von der Leyen
European Union
Aug 29, 2025, 12:22 PM
Statement summary
Von der Leyen announces full subscription of the 150 billion euro SAFE instrument
Von der Leyen notes 19 Member States requested support via the SAFE Defence instrument and announces full subscription of the 150 billion euro SAFE instrument.
Source excerpt
19 Member States, including Latvia, have requested support via our SAFE Defence instrument. I’m pleased to announce that we have reached full subscription of SAFE. The whole €150 billion. This is a European success. europa.eu/!JQhYyG
Bluesky Full record
Von der Leyen
European Union
Aug 30, 2025, 04:44 PM
Direct quote
“With SAFE we are producing the capabilities Europe needs most.”
Von der Leyen states Europe is producing its most needed capabilities through SAFE and outlines a focus on pan-European projects including drones and air defence.
Source excerpt
With SAFE we are producing the capabilities Europe needs most. We will focus on pan-European projects from drones, cyber defence and air defence systems. For example, a comprehensive European Air Shield. It will be a strong symbol of 🇪🇺 unity in defence.
On capabilities produced through SAFE
Bluesky Full record
Von der Leyen
European Union
Aug 31, 2025, 08:46 AM
Direct quote
“we have proposed a fivefold increase in defence investments.”
Von der Leyen proposes a fivefold increase in defense investments and proposes a ten-fold increase in funding for military mobility.
Source excerpt
Dear Donald Tusk, Poland is the largest defence spender in Europe – and you will be the biggest beneficiary from SAFE. To match Poland’s readiness, we have proposed a fivefold increase in defence investments. And a ten-fold increase in funding for military mobility.
On increasing defense investments.
Bluesky Full record
Von der Leyen
European Union
Aug 31, 2025, 05:17 PM
Statement summary
Von der Leyen welcomes plans to use SAFE for new shell and gunpowder plants
Von der Leyen welcomes plans to use SAFE for new shell and gunpowder plants and notes it increases production capacities and ramps up deliveries to Ukraine.
Source excerpt
Glad to hear that you’re planning on using SAFE to build new plants for shells and gunpowder. This is exactly what it’s for. To increase our production capacities. Ramp up deliveries to Ukraine. And create good jobs locally ↓ europa.eu/!49DGNt
Bluesky Full record
Von der Leyen
European Union
Sep 1, 2025, 04:34 PM
Statement summary
Von der Leyen says she expects first SAFE financing late this year or early next year
Von der Leyen argues that defence industry needs predictable long-term contracts and says she expects first SAFE financing late this year or early next year.
Source excerpt
Our defence industry needs predictability and long-term contracts. That’s what SAFE is for. I’m confident that the first projects will be financed end of this year or beginning of the next ↓ europa.eu/!36tjnK
Bluesky Full record
Von der Leyen
European Union
Nov 17, 2025, 02:36 PM
Direct quote
“Europe must urgently boost capacity to protect our skies and our infrastructure.”
Von der Leyen calls for urgently boosting capacity to protect European skies and infrastructure and notes Poland is Europe's largest defence spender and SAFE beneficiary.
Source excerpt
The threats to our security are real and growing. Europe must urgently boost capacity to protect our skies and our infrastructure. Poland is the largest defence spender in Europe. And it will be the biggest beneficiary of the SAFE instrument. Razem jesteśmy silniejsi.
On protecting European skies and infrastructure.
Bluesky Full record
Von der Leyen
European Union
Dec 1, 2025, 09:21 PM
Statement summary
Von der Leyen welcomes Canada to SAFE
Von der Leyen welcomes Canada to SAFE and says cooperation between like-minded defence partners strengthens countries and industry and citizen safety.
Source excerpt
Welcome to SAFE, Canada! When like-minded partners join forces on security and defence in a turbulent world, our countries grow stronger, our industries benefit and our citizens are safer. Our Joint Statement ↓ link.europa.eu/QCDtpr
Bluesky Full record
Von der Leyen
European Union
Dec 26, 2025, 02:48 PM
Direct quote
“With our €150 billion SAFE instrument, we're funding pan-European projects - and common defence capabilities.”
Von der Leyen says Europe is taking more responsibility for peace and security and announces a 150 billion euro SAFE instrument for common defence.
Source excerpt
We are taking more responsibility for the protection of peace and security in Europe. It starts with a strong 🇪🇺 defence industry. With our €150 billion SAFE instrument, we're funding pan-European projects - and common defence capabilities. From anti-drones systems to ammunition production ↓
On funding pan-European projects and common defence capabilities with the SAFE instrument.
Bluesky Full record
Von der Leyen
European Union
Apr 23, 2026, 04:49 PM
Direct quote
“Poland is an essential pillar of Europe’s security architecture”
Von der Leyen states Poland is an essential pillar of Europe’s security architecture and notes Poland is the biggest beneficiary of SAFE.
Source excerpt
Poland is an essential pillar of Europe’s security architecture, I told Donald Tusk. You help keep our Eastern flank safe. This is why Poland is the biggest beneficiary of SAFE.
On Poland's role in security.
Bluesky Full record
Von der Leyen
European Union
May 7, 2026, 01:19 PM
Statement summary
Von der Leyen says Poland and Lithuania will sign SAFE loans within two days
Von der Leyen says Poland and Lithuania will sign SAFE loan agreements within two days and reports that their plans total over €50 billion.
Source excerpt
Over the next two days, Poland and Lithuania will be the first countries to sign SAFE loan agreements. These two plans alone are over €50 billion, to close critical capability gaps and keep our Eastern flank safe.
Bluesky Full record
Von der Leyen
European Union
May 31, 2026, 04:38 PM
Statement summary
Von der Leyen reports talks on Latvia's €3.5 billion SAFE plan
Von der Leyen reports talks with Andris Kulbergs on Latvia's €3.5 billion SAFE plan and urges signing the plan soon.
Source excerpt
🇱🇻 First phone call with Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs. Hybrid threats faced by the Baltic states are urgent. So we got to work immediately. We discussed Latvia’s €3.5 bn SAFE plan and its contribution to our European flagship defence projects. Let’s sign it soon!
Bluesky Full record
Von der Leyen
European Union
Jun 25, 2026, 12:11 PM
Statement summary
Von der Leyen reports making Eastern Flank Watch operational through SAFE
Von der Leyen warns Russian drone incursions are bringing war closer and reports making Eastern Flank Watch operational through SAFE.
Source excerpt
At the Eastern Flank Summit in Gdańsk. With the latest drone incursions, Russia is bringing war to our doorstep. We are making the Eastern Flank Watch operational with SAFE. And developing it into an important pillar of Europe's security architecture.
Bluesky Full record

To be continued. Probably.Back to the beginning

Follow the mess.

“This is a new chapter in our EU-UK partnership.”

“our Defence Industrial Readiness Loan Instrument, SAFE, has been agreed by Member States.”

Von der Leyen states that Europe mobilises urgently needed military support for Ukraine

Von der Leyen announces full subscription of the 150 billion euro SAFE instrument

“With SAFE we are producing the capabilities Europe needs most.”

“we have proposed a fivefold increase in defence investments.”

Von der Leyen welcomes plans to use SAFE for new shell and gunpowder plants

Von der Leyen says she expects first SAFE financing late this year or early next year

“Europe must urgently boost capacity to protect our skies and our infrastructure.”

Von der Leyen welcomes Canada to SAFE

“With our €150 billion SAFE instrument, we're funding pan-European projects - and common defence capabilities.”

“Poland is an essential pillar of Europe’s security architecture”

Von der Leyen says Poland and Lithuania will sign SAFE loans within two days

Von der Leyen reports talks on Latvia's €3.5 billion SAFE plan

Von der Leyen reports making Eastern Flank Watch operational through SAFE