Poland seeks access to unused EU defence funds

Poland is seeking to secure additional funding from the European Union’s defence programme that has not been used by other member states.

Polish Deputy Defence Minister Paweł Zalewski said Warsaw would hold a new round of talks with the European Commission on the distribution of the remaining funds under the SAFE programme, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

“We will present projects that we would like to add to this programme,” Zalewski told Polskie Radio, adding that “a certain amount of funding has not been used”.

The SAFE (Security Action for Europe) programme, formerly known as ReArmEU, has a €150 billion budget and provides favourable loans for defence procurement by EU member states.

Poland has secured €43 billion under the programme, making it its largest beneficiary. The European Commission estimates that around €10 billion could remain available.

Ukraine is also seeking access to the unallocated funds, although Brussels has said Kyiv could receive financing only on a residual basis.

By Aghakazim Guliyev