France, Poland, Italy among top contenders for EU’s €150 billion defence loans

Brussels’ €150 billion SAFE (Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform) programme—once feared to fall short of applicants—has now drawn formal interest from 18 EU countries seeking defence loans totalling €127 billion, with more capitals expected to follow.

According to a detailed report by Euractiv, only nine EU member states have yet to submit bids, while several others are weighing participation or opting for alternative forms of support such as joint procurement.

Eight countries have made public or shared details of their loan applications, requesting between €99 billion and €108 billion. Poland tops the list with a €45 billion bid, disclosed by Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz. France has sharply increased its request to €15–20 billion—up to 13% of the SAFE fund—after initially considering only a small application. Italy is also seeking €15 billion.

Other applicants include:

• Lithuania: €5–8.76 billion

• Estonia: €3.6 billion

• Bulgaria: €3.2–3.5 billion

• Greece: €1.2 billion

• Spain: €1 billion

Belgium is expected to seek €7–11 billion, while Romania may request about €10 billion.

A separate group—Croatia, Czechia, Hungary, Latvia, Portugal, and Slovakia—has submitted formal interest but not revealed figures. Cyprus and Finland are still finalising their requests. Ireland has expressed interest but hasn’t submitted a bid.

Nine countries have yet to take any formal steps. The Commission sent a letter last Friday urging these states to act before summer ends. A key incentive: SAFE funding can be used for joint procurement of ammunition and missiles for Ukraine, potentially making participation more politically viable.

Some EU members, like Germany, Luxembourg, and Sweden, are opting for joint procurement without loans. The Netherlands and Malta have decided against participating. Austria remains undecided, while Slovenia and Denmark are still assessing the programme.

By Tamilla Hasanova