Projects funded under the SAFE Program
The Ministries of Defense, Interior and Civil Protection will receive substantial EU funding through the SAFE program.
Ştefan Stoica, 27.01.2026, 14:00
The Romanian government has unveiled projects set to receive financing via the European defense program SAFE – Security Action for Europe. Romania has access to over €16 billion under this initiative, the second-largest allocation to any EU member state after Poland. The funds will be provided as loans at a favorable interest rate of no more than 3%, with repayment spread over 30 years starting in 2035.
Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff Mihai Jurca said the government aims to produce many components for the defense system locally, through public or private Romanian companies. Of the total, €4.2 billion targets upgrades to dual-use infrastructure (military and civilian), €9.6 billion goes to the Ministry of Defense, and about €3 billion to the Ministry of Interior and Civil Protection.
The Ministry of Defense is advancing 21 projects: 10 joint procurements with other countries and 11 exclusive to Romania, with most collaborations involving France and Germany. Defense Minister Radu Miruță highlighted:
“The contract with France for Mistral missiles has already been signed (it is public) – €652 million for a joint purchase with six other states; 12 new-model H225 helicopters from France; 12 radars, again jointly with France; three anti-aircraft defense systems to complement the Patriot system, jointly with Germany; and two centralized anti-aircraft command systems, also jointly with Germany, which leads these acquisitions”.
The Ministry of Interior will procure specialized equipment and weaponry, while Civil Protection will acquire new machinery to transport more patients simultaneously and expand mobility routes across land, water and air.
On Monday, Minister Miruță met with Raymond Piselli, Lockheed Martin’s Vice President for International Strategic Operations, a key partner in Romania’s industrial cooperation and military equipping efforts. Talks focused on reviewing high-tech systems currently in use by the Romanian Army, accelerating upgrades to existing equipment, and bolstering national defense capabilities. A standout joint project is hosting the European F-16 Training Center at Fetești Air Base (southern Romania) (the second such facility worldwide after the one in the USA) providing high-end training for Romanian and NATO partner pilots, including from Ukraine, with cutting-edge resources and expertise, Minister Miruță emphasized. (VP)
