Ottawa has officially joined the European Union’s flagship defense funding program, known as SAFE (Security Action for Europe), marking a significant step in transatlantic cooperation. The announcement came Monday, following a joint statement from Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
“In these times of geopolitical turmoil, SAFE is a means to increase cooperation and achieve defense goals and spending more effectively,” the leaders stated. The agreement grants Canada the right to participate in the program, a move hailed as a symbol of shared priorities between the EU and Canada.
The partnership aims to foster resilient defense supply chains between Canadian and European industries at a crucial time for global security. By working together, both parties intend to strengthen their defense capabilities and contribute to a more secure international environment.
SAFE provides participating nations with favorable loan terms for joint weapon procurement with partner countries. Financial contributions are required from participants, a point of contention that reportedly hindered the UK’s potential involvement last week, as they allegedly balked at the required fees.
DZWatch will continue to monitor developments in this evolving partnership and its impact on the global defense landscape. This collaboration highlights the growing importance of international cooperation in addressing contemporary security challenges and underscores the commitment of both Canada and the EU to strengthening their defense ties. This is a developing story.
