Poland will receive around €44 billion in loans from the EU’s SAFE defense programme to strengthen its defense capabilities and security.
This was announced by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk ahead of a Cabinet meeting.
“Around €44 billion will be allocated for the purchase of drones and the ‘Eastern Shield’ project,” Tusk said.
He added that, thanks to Polish diplomatic efforts, the “Eastern Shield” has become a project for all of Europe.
According to Tusk, Warsaw will also invest in space projects, AI development in defense, cyber- and crypto-security, and the “Safe Baltic” programme.
“Through the SAFE programme, we will also be able to finance roads and railways directly related to the security of the Polish state,” Tusk emphasized.
Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense of Poland Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz reported that €43.7 billion from the SAFE instrument will be allocated to Warsaw for 140 projects across various sectors. By the end of the week, Poland will submit its application to the European Commission to receive funds from the SAFE instrument, after which three months of negotiations with the EC regarding the projects will begin.
