Poland to sign $27 bn EU military deals by end-May under SAFE program
Synopsis
Poland is racing to lock in $27.49 billion in EU military financing before an end-of-May deadline that would require multi-country procurement. With its first F-35s already landed and $63 billion in US arms deals on the books, Warsaw is cementing its position as NATO's most aggressive defence spender — and the EU's single largest SAFE beneficiary.
Key Takeaways
Poland will sign approximately 40 agreements with the EU by end- May 2025 , unlocking 100 billion Polish zlotys (~ $27.49 billion ) in military financing.
More than 10,000 Polish companies are set to benefit from the EU's SAFE programme funds.
Poland is the largest of 19 SAFE beneficiaries , with an allocation of up to 180 billion zlotys (~ $49.49 billion ).
Poland received its first 3 F-35 fighter jets last week — the first fifth-generation aircraft on NATO's eastern flank .
US President Donald Trump announced an additional 5,000 US troops to be deployed to Poland.
Poland's total arms purchases from the United States stand at approximately $63 billion .
Poland is set to sign approximately 40 agreements with the European Union by the end of May 2025, unlocking 100 billion Polish zlotys (roughly $27.49 billion) in financing for military equipment purchases, Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced on Thursday. The signing ceremony took place at the Cyber Defence Forces Component Command in Legionowo, near Warsaw, marking a landmark moment in Poland's defence build-up.
Key Developments
More than 10,000 Polish companies are expected to benefit from the funds, which flow through the EU's Security Action For Europe (SAFE) programme — a 150-billion-euro (approximately $174.51 billion) initiative designed to enhance defence capabilities across the bloc. Poland is the largest single beneficiary among the 19 participating nations, with an allocation of up to 180 billion Polish zlotys (about $49.49 billion).
Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz said at the ceremony that SAFE would strengthen national security, NATO's eastern flank, and the EU's border security. Poland formally signed its SAFE framework agreement with the European Commission on 8 May 2025.
The Deadline That Shaped the Deal
Under EU rules, single-country purchase agreements under SAFE must be concluded by the end of May. After that deadline, procurement must involve at least two participating countries. This regulatory window created a strong incentive for Warsaw to accelerate the signing of bilateral agreements before the cut-off — making the timing of Thursday's ceremony significant.
F-35 Jets and US Troop Reinforcement
The announcement coincides with a broader surge in Poland's defence posture. Last week, Poland received its first three F-35 fighter jets from the United States — the first fifth-generation aircraft deployed on NATO's eastern flank, according to Kosiniak-Kamysz, who noted the milestone in a post on X. Poland and the US signed a contract in 2020 for the purchase of 32 F-35s, including training and logistics packages, valued at $4.6 billion. Production of the first aircraft was completed in November 2024, with all deliveries scheduled by 2029.
Separately, US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he would send an additional 5,000 troops to Poland, further reinforcing the country's strategic position on NATO's eastern perimeter.
Poland's Total US Arms Bill
The total value of Poland's arms purchases from the United States currently stands at approximately $63 billion, according to Kosiniak-Kamysz. This positions Poland as one of the most active defence spenders in the alliance, a trajectory that has accelerated sharply since Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
What Comes Next
With the end-of-May deadline approaching, Warsaw is expected to finalise all 40-odd agreements before the EU's single-country procurement window closes. The SAFE programme's preferential loan structure means Poland will carry a portion of the cost, but at significantly below-market financing rates. Analysts expect Poland's defence spending — already among the highest in NATO as a share of GDP — to remain elevated well into the next decade.
Point of View
Turning a bureaucratic rule into a strategic accelerant. What mainstream coverage underplays is the industrial dimension — 10,000 Polish firms tapped into a $27 billion pipeline is as much an economic story as a security one. The deeper question is whether Poland's defence spending trajectory, already the highest in NATO by GDP share, is sustainable without structural fiscal trade-offs that Warsaw has so far refused to name publicly.
NationPress
6 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the EU SAFE programme and how does Poland benefit?
The Security Action For Europe (SAFE) programme is a 150-billion-euro EU initiative that provides preferential loans to member states to enhance defence capabilities. Poland is the largest of 19 beneficiaries, with an allocation of up to 180 billion Polish zlotys (about $49.49 billion).
Why must Poland sign the agreements by end of May 2025?
Under EU rules, single-country purchase agreements under SAFE must be concluded by the end of May. After that deadline, procurement must involve at least two participating countries, making solo deals ineligible for SAFE financing.
What is Poland's F-35 deal with the United States?
Poland and the US signed a contract in 2020 for 32 F-35 fighter jets, including training and logistics, valued at $4.6 billion. The first three aircraft were delivered last week, making them the first fifth-generation fighters on NATO's eastern flank. All deliveries are scheduled to be completed by 2029.
How much has Poland spent on US arms in total?
Poland's total arms purchases from the United States currently stand at approximately $63 billion, according to Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz, reflecting a sharp acceleration in defence spending since 2022.
What did US President Trump announce regarding Poland?
US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he would send an additional 5,000 troops to Poland, further reinforcing the country's role as a frontline NATO state on the alliance's eastern flank.
