Canada joins the EU’s Safety Motion for Europe (SAFE) rearmament initiative, giving entry to $170bn in loans for army tools procurement.
Printed On 2 Dec 2025
Canada has joined a multibillion-dollar European Union defence fund, changing into the primary non-European nation to take action, as Ottawa appears to diversify its army spending away from the United States.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney mentioned on Monday that participation within the EU’s Safety Motion for Europe (SAFE) initiative would give Canadian defence firms “super alternatives” from elevated entry to the European market in a “harmful and divided world”.
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“Canada’s participation in SAFE will fill key functionality gaps, broaden markets for Canadian suppliers, and entice European defence funding into Canada,” Carney mentioned in a press release.
“That is the following step in our deepening cooperation and symbolic of the shared priorities of the European Union and Canada,” Carney mentioned in a separate joint assertion with European Fee President Ursula von der Leyen.
The 150-billion-euro ($170bn) SAFE rearmament fund was introduced earlier this 12 months amid fears of a possible Russian assault on the EU and issues amongst member states over the reliability of US army safety.
SAFE has been described as a serious effort by the EU to “pace up defence readiness”, because the bloc goals to re-arm and be able to defending itself from exterior threats by 2030.
Canada’s becoming a member of the SAFE initiative comes after Carney mentioned he meant to diversify Canada’s procurement and trade partnerships and improve the nation’s relationship with the EU. Carney had additionally beforehand mentioned that greater than 70 cents of each greenback of Canadian military capital spending would not go to the US.
The transfer by Canada comes after US President Donald Trump infuriated Canadians by launching a commerce struggle earlier this 12 months and suggesting that Canada develop into the 51st state in the US.
Joint arms tasks underneath SAFE should have a minimal 65 % of their parts produced throughout the EU’s 27 member nations, however accomplice nations similar to Canada might be granted exemptions, in response to stories.
Precedence defence spending underneath SAFE entails the procurement of missiles and ammunition, artillery programs, floor fight capabilities, drone and anti-drone programs, and cyber warfare, in addition to air and missile defences, maritime forces, digital warfare and “house property safety”.
Talks between the EU and London on the UK becoming a member of the SAFE fund ended with out settlement final week.
Negotiations foundered over cash, with Europe demanding extra for the UK’s participation than the federal government was keen to pay.
Majority of the 🇪🇺 Member States will put the tasks underneath 4 flagship domains, proposed by the 🇪🇺: Drone Defence Initiative, Jap Flank Watch, Air Protect and House Protect.#EUDefence
Extra information on #SAFE 🔗 ⬇️https://t.co/RY9lbd6kBA
— Andrius Kubilius (@KubiliusA) December 1, 2025
