Zalewski added that Poland’s engagement would include joint projects with other EU countries, including the Baltic states, Sweden, Romania, Greece and Cyprus.
"Above all, we will cooperate with Ukraine on drone and anti-drone systems, but it will also cover the purchase of weapons from Polish companies for Ukraine and Polish-Ukrainian investments in our country, the deputy minister said.
The EU’s SAFE (Security Action for Europe) programme, created during Poland’s EU presidency earlier this year, allows member states to access long-term loans to co-finance defence projects, including drones, air-defence systems and naval equipment.
It makes up to EUR 150 billion available and supports joint procurement between countries, while permitting urgent single-country purchases in exceptional cases.
Poland has applied for funding for 139 projects, requesting a total of EUR 43.7 billion.
According to Zalewski, 89 percent of the funds would be channelled to Polish companies, including both the state-owned Polish Armaments Group (PGZ) and private firms, helping modernise the country’s armed forces, including air defence, armoured vehicles, soldiers’ personal equipment and the navy.
The European Commission announced that it had received applications from all 19 participating member states, with 15 planning to implement some projects in cooperation with Ukraine.
The applications will now be assessed, with EU defence ministers expected to approve the SAFE programme by February 2026, allowing Poland to sign contracts in March and receive an initial 15 percent prepayment.
Zalewski participated in Monday’s meeting of EU defence ministers in Brussels, where SAFE and the European Defence Agency (EDA) were discussed.
He emphasised that both instruments play a key role in helping EU states meet NATO commitments and strengthening collective deterrence against Russia.
Meanwhile, Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz took part in Polish-German consultations in Berlin on the same day.
(ał)
Source: PAP