The EU Council has approved financial assistance for the Czech Republic and France under the SAFE instrument, which aims to support Member States’ investments in the defence industry through joint procurement.
According to the European bureau of Report, the decision followed the approval of the national defence investment plans submitted by these countries.
Cyprus’s Minister of Defence, Vasilis Palmas, emphasised that strengthening the EU’s defence capabilities and reducing external dependence remain key priorities of Cyprus’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
Under the decision, the Czech Republic will receive up to €2.06 billion, including pre-financing of €309 million. France’s programme has been approved for up to €15.09 billion, of which around €2.26 billion will be paid in advance. The funds will be used to procure modern weaponry and enhance the readiness of the national armed forces.
The EU noted that loan agreements are expected to be signed in the coming weeks, after which the first tranches will begin to be disbursed.
Thus, only one of the 19 applications – from Hungary – remains under discussion. As the European Commission explained to Report, Hungary has requested funding significantly exceeding the amount provisionally approved back in September 2025.
