“Great news from Brussels. Poland will be the biggest beneficiary of the SAFE programme,” the government's pointwoman for SAFE, Magdalena Sobkowiak-Czarnecka, said in a statement.
“Our investment plan covers nearly 150 projects, and I am pleased the Commission has positively assessed it," she added.
The Commission also gave the green light on Monday to SAFE plans submitted by seven other EU countries: Estonia, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia and Finland.
The Security Action for Europe (SAFE) programme provides up to EUR 150 billion in low-interest loans for military procurement, largely aimed at equipment produced in Europe.
EU Defence Commissioner Andrius Kubilius said that Europe was finally backing its security ambitions with adequate financial resources.
"We are no longer just drafting strategies; we are building a hard-power reality," he added.
The Commission approved the plans of the first eight participating member states on January 16. In total, 19 EU countries have applied to take part in SAFE, with Hungary, France and the Czech Republic still awaiting approval.
Once approved by the Commission, the plans must be formally adopted by EU member states in the Council of the EU, which has four weeks to make a final decision.
SAFE was established in 2025 to help EU countries strengthen their defence capabilities amid growing threats from Russia and uncertainty over the future level of US engagement in Europe.
The programme also aims to reduce reliance on US-made weapons and boost Europe’s defence industries.
To that end, purchases from non-EU countries are limited, and at least 65 percent of the value of components must be produced in countries participating in SAFE.
Ukraine is also eligible to take part in the loan programme, a move intended to strengthen its defence industry and support its fight against Russia.
According to national plans submitted so far, 15 of the 19 participating EU countries—including Poland—intend to carry out joint defence projects with Ukraine.
The programme is also open to countries such as Norway and Switzerland, as well as those that sign defence partnership agreements with the EU, including Britain and Canada.