EU’s SAFE Program Deadline Expires – Turkey, UK, and South Korea Left Out of €150B Defense Fund

The deadline for submitting proposals under the European Union’s €150 billion Security Action for Europe (SAFE) fund expires today.

Participation is limited to EU member states, leaving major international players like Turkey, the UK, and South Koreaout, while Canada’s participation remains uncertain. Turkey’s exclusion comes despite Germany’s efforts to secure its inclusion, highlighting geostrategic tensions and limited EU recognition of Ankara’s role in European defense.

For the UK, disagreements over the financial contribution—up to €6 billion as a “buy-in fee”—proved a stumbling block, leaving London outside the SAFE program, although the British defense industry can still participate as a third country.

Greece is expected to strengthen its capabilities within the framework of the Long-Term Defense Armaments Program, focusing on artillery munitions, unmanned vehicles, satellite communications, and night-vision optics, integrating part of the program into the multi-layered “Achilles Shield.” Meanwhile, Cyprus approved €1.2 billion, with a mandatory 15% participation of local companies, boosting the deterrent capability of the National Guard.

 Geoeconomic and Strategic Implications

SAFE’s exclusive focus on EU member states underscores the EU’s strategic approach:

• Strengthening defense autonomy: The program aims to reduce Europe’s dependence on external actors, with Turkey and the UK’s exclusion reinforcing internal cohesion.
• Economic resource allocation: Greece and Cyprus are leveraging SAFE to fund strategic investments while supporting domestic defense industries.
• Geopolitical signaling: Turkey’s absence sends a clear message about participation criteria in shaping EU defense strategy, while the UK faces limitations due to cost and political negotiation hurdles.

In a broader context, this development shows that the EU is moving to establish a self-reliant European defense structure, using funding tools for projects that combine technology, industry, and geostrategic autonomy.

Next Steps:After the deadline, the European Commission will evaluate the proposals, approve projects, and finalize agreements for fund disbursement. Greece and Cyprus, having already designed strategic investment plans, are positioned to strengthen deterrence systems and develop high-tech defense capabilities.

Source: pagenews.gr