Greece Submits National Plan to EU's €150 Billion SAFE Defense Program

Greece Joins Key European Defense Initiative

Greece has officially joined 18 other European Union member-states in submitting national plans for the new Security Action for Europe (SAFE) program. This initiative, designed to significantly strengthen European defense capabilities and accelerate arms production, marks a crucial step towards deeper EU defense integration. The submissions completed the program's first milestone, with 19 member states delivering their plans by the November 30, 2025 deadline.

The SAFE Program: Boosting European Strategic Autonomy

The SAFE program, formally adopted by the Council of the EU on May 27, 2025, and operational since July 29, 2025, is a new EU defense fund offering up to €150 billion in low-interest loans to member states. It is a central pillar of the EU's broader ReArm Europe Plan/Readiness 2030, conceived in response to the security implications of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The program aims to:

• Rapidly boost the EU's defense industrial base and replenish stockpiles.
• Reduce reliance on external defense suppliers, particularly the United States.
• Foster 'strategic autonomy' in defense.

The European Commission will raise the necessary funds on capital markets, offering them to member states under attractive financing conditions. Loans are intended to be disbursed by the end of 2030 and repaid over 45 years.

Greece's Contribution and Financial Allocation

Greece's Defense Minister Nikos Dendias conveyed to EU defense ministers in Brussels that Greece 'has much to offer' in discussions regarding EU defense readiness through 2030, emphasizing a 'holistic approach and holistic protection'. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced Greece's participation, stating that the government 'continues to strengthen the deterrent power and operational capacity of the Armed Forces with planning, responsibility, and strategic vision'.

Initially, Greece requested approximately €1.2 billion (or $1.4 billion) in low-interest loans. The European Commission has provisionally approved an allocation of €787.67 million ($922.34 million) for Greece. These funds are earmarked for the modernization of critical weapons systems, the procurement of new equipment, and the reinforcement of Greece's national defense industry.

Collaborative Defense and Regional Dynamics

The SAFE program prioritizes joint procurement of military equipment, requiring collaboration between at least two participating countries to enhance interoperability and spending efficiency. Greece and Cyprus have already agreed to pursue joint defense projects under the SAFE regulation, with the development of anti-drone systems identified as a top priority.

The list of 19 member states that submitted their national plans includes Belgium, Bulgaria, Czechia, Estonia, Spain, France, Croatia, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Finland, Denmark, Greece, and Cyprus. Notably, Greece and Cyprus have indicated they would veto Turkey's potential participation in the program, citing longstanding political and military tensions.