EU Council approves defense funding for France and Czech Republic under the SAFE program

On April 10, 2026, the Council of the European Union, currently under the Cypriot Presidency, approved executive decisions to provide financial assistance under the SAFE program to France and the Czech Republic. The funding is intended to strengthen the European defense industry and strategic autonomy. France will receive up to 15.09 billion euros, with an immediate advance payment of approximately 2.26 billion euros. The Czech Republic will receive up to 2.06 billion euros, with an advance payment of 309 million euros. This decision follows a positive assessment by the European Commission regarding the national defense investment plans submitted by both countries. Cypriot Defense Minister Vasilis Palmas highlighted that strengthening defense readiness remains a priority for the Cypriot Presidency. These allocations follow previous executive decisions in February that provided defense assistance to 15 other EU member states, including Cyprus and Greece. The first disbursements for France and the Czech Republic are expected to be processed in the coming weeks.