EU SAFE Mechanism Activated: Lithuania Receives €6.4 Billion Loan to Strengthen Defense
Lithuania has signed a defense loan agreement worth approximately 6.4 billion euros with the EU's "Security Action for Europe" (SAFE) mechanism. This funding will strengthen Lithuania's military and air defense capabilities, with a portion also dedicated to supporting Ukraine.
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- 📰 Published: May 11, 2026 at 14:43
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Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter You Yao-ru, Vilnius 11th exclusive report) Lithuania recently signed a defense loan agreement with the European Union totaling approximately 6.4 billion euros, promoting regional military reinforcement. This fund will be used not only to enhance Lithuania's military capabilities and air defense combat power but also to partially support Ukraine.
According to an announcement by the Lithuanian Ministry of Finance, Finance Minister Kristupas Vaitiekūnas and Defense Minister Robertas Kaunas, along with European Commission officials, signed the EU's "Security Action for Europe" (SAFE) defense loan program on the 9th. The total financing amounts to 6.375 billion euros (approximately NT$235.3 billion), providing Lithuania with a source of funding to strengthen its defense and national resilience.
The SAFE program is a temporary loan instrument established by the European Commission to strengthen defense, with a total amount of 150 billion euros. It provides extremely low-interest loans for up to 45 years, allowing member states to quickly raise defense funds without immediately burdening their fiscal budgets.
According to the announcement, the application prepared by the Lithuanian Ministry of Defense states that Lithuania plans to use the SAFE funds for the development of army division-level forces, support and logistics systems, and necessary ammunition reserves, for counter-mobility measures and mine deployment on the Baltic defense line, and to strengthen other capabilities of the Lithuanian army.
Lithuanian National Radio and Television (LRT) reported that Lithuanian Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene once pointed out that air defense capabilities will be the main investment direction.
The report also noted that part of the funds will be used to support Ukraine, including joint procurement with Ukraine or purchasing military equipment for Ukraine. EU officials emphasized that SAFE is the first pan-European level financial instrument to support Ukraine, and related assistance may be further expanded in the future.
Vaitiekūnas stated: "SAFE is an important tool, especially for Eastern European countries of the EU. It is an accelerator for our defense capabilities. This funding allows us to act immediately instead of planning in decades."
According to reports, 19 EU member states have currently applied to use the SAFE mechanism, with Poland being the first country to complete the signing. Lithuania's defense budget this year is approximately 4.8 billion euros, accounting for about 5.38% of its GDP. (Editor: Chang Chih-hsuan) 1150511
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(Central News Agency reporter You Yao-ru, Vilnius 11th exclusive report) Lithuania recently signed a defense loan agreement with the European Union totaling approximately 6.4 billion euros, promoting regional military reinforcement. This fund will be used not only to enhance Lithuania's military capabilities and air defense combat power but also to partially support Ukraine.
According to an announcement by the Lithuanian Ministry of Finance, Finance Minister Kristupas Vaitiekūnas and Defense Minister Robertas Kaunas, along with European Commission officials, signed the EU's "Security Action for Europe" (SAFE) defense loan program on the 9th. The total financing amounts to 6.375 billion euros (approximately NT$235.3 billion), providing Lithuania with a source of funding to strengthen its defense and national resilience.
The SAFE program is a temporary loan instrument established by the European Commission to strengthen defense, with a total amount of 150 billion euros. It provides extremely low-interest loans for up to 45 years, allowing member states to quickly raise defense funds without immediately burdening their fiscal budgets.
According to the announcement, the application prepared by the Lithuanian Ministry of Defense states that Lithuania plans to use the SAFE funds for the development of army division-level forces, support and logistics systems, and necessary ammunition reserves, for counter-mobility measures and mine deployment on the Baltic defense line, and to strengthen other capabilities of the Lithuanian army.
Lithuanian National Radio and Television (LRT) reported that Lithuanian Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene once pointed out that air defense capabilities will be the main investment direction.
The report also noted that part of the funds will be used to support Ukraine, including joint procurement with Ukraine or purchasing military equipment for Ukraine. EU officials emphasized that SAFE is the first pan-European level financial instrument to support Ukraine, and related assistance may be further expanded in the future.
Vaitiekūnas stated: "SAFE is an important tool, especially for Eastern European countries of the EU. It is an accelerator for our defense capabilities. This funding allows us to act immediately instead of planning in decades."
According to reports, 19 EU member states have currently applied to use the SAFE mechanism, with Poland being the first country to complete the signing. Lithuania's defense budget this year is approximately 4.8 billion euros, accounting for about 5.38% of its GDP. (Editor: Chang Chih-hsuan) 1150511
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