Deputy Defence Minister Paweł Zalewski told journalists in Brussels on Tuesday that all formal requirements had been met and the disbursement was now a matter of administrative processing
Poland stands to receive EUR 43.7 billion under the programme, with a first advance of EUR 6.5 billion due to be released.
Zalewski said Poland's Armaments Agency had begun finalising contracts with the defence industry following the signing of a loan agreement with the European Commission last Friday.
"Negotiating teams are working at full capacity to conclude these agreements," he said.
Speaking on the sidelines of a meeting of EU ministers, Zalewski said he hoped a second phase of the SAFE instrument could be incorporated into the EU's next long-term budget.
He acknowledged discussions on a so-called SAFE 2 were at an early stage but said many member states were taking their NATO commitments seriously.
Zalewski also expressed hope that a change of government in Hungary could unblock EUR 450 million in outstanding reimbursements owed to Poland under the European Peace Facility, a scheme that compensated member states for weapons supplied to Ukraine.
SAFE funds earmarked for Poland are intended to finance projects including the Eastern Shield border defence programme, anti-drone and air defence systems, artillery and military transport infrastructure.
The government says 89 percent of the funds will flow to Polish industry.
(ał)
Source: PAP