SAFE aims to strengthen the defense capabilities of the European Union and assist member states in addressing critical shortfalls, as well as jointly purchasing defense products. The program will provide long-term low-interest loans to help member states acquire urgently needed military equipment.
Prague – The Czech Ministry of Defense will present a plan to the European Commission for the use of up to 52 billion crowns from a loan under the new SAFE program (Security Action for Europe), for Leopard 2A8 tanks, Tatra T-815 vehicles, and part of the construction of the D11 highway. The ministry stated this today in response to a query from ČTK. A total of 19 countries, including the Czech Republic, have applied for a loan from the new financial tool SAFE. However, countries must submit plans with specific projects to the commission by November 30, determining what they want to spend the money on.
“By the set deadline, we will present a plan to the European Commission for the use of up to 52 billion crowns from the SAFE loan for Leopard 2A8 tanks, Tatra T-815 vehicles, and part of the construction of the D11 highway,” the ministry said. According to it, the plan includes the use of loan money for parts of the mentioned projects that comply with SAFE rules.
The European Commission stated in September that the Czech Republic could receive over two billion euros (50.1 billion crowns) from the SAFE tool. For all 19 countries that applied for the loan, a total of 150 billion euros (3.7 trillion crowns) is reserved, according to the commission. The outgoing Prime Minister Peter Fiala (ODS) announced in July that the Czech Republic could finance the purchase of German Leopard 2A8 tanks from the tool. The Ministry of Defense signed a contract for the purchase of tanks in September.
SAFE aims to strengthen the defense capabilities of the European Union and help member states address critical shortages, as well as jointly purchase defense products. The program will provide long-term low-cost loans to assist member states in acquiring urgently needed military equipment. It will also be open to Ukraine in cooperation with at least one EU country, as well as Norway, Switzerland, and countries with defense partnership agreements with the EU. (November 28)
