Canada becomes first non‑European nation to join EU defence loan programme SAFE

The European Union Council has approved the participation of Canadian firms and products in the EU’s Security and Defence‑Related European Investment (SAFE) instrument. The decision finalises an agreement signed on 14 February, making Canada the first country outside Europe to take part in the programme that offers up to €150 billion in loans for joint defence procurement.

The SAFE instrument, financed through EU borrowing, is intended to accelerate large‑scale, urgent purchases that strengthen the European defence industrial base. Participation is open to EU member states, EEA members, candidate countries and strategic partners such as the United Kingdom, Japan, South Korea, India and now Canada. Cyprus, holding the rotating EU Council presidency, highlighted the move as evidence of deep mutual trust and a precedent for future collaborations.

Canada’s entry expands the pool of suppliers for EU defence projects and signals closer security ties between Ottawa and Brussels.