Italy to Use 8 Billion Euros of EU Safe Funds for Defense

Italy is set to leverage 8 billion euros from the European Union's Safe financial instrument to bolster its defense sector investments. This significant allocation, part of a larger 14.9 billion euro total available, will support common defense initiatives within the EU. The agreement between Rome and Brussels, after months of negotiation, is nearing finalization, with the loan to be repaid over a maximum of 45 years.

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European Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier confirmed discussions with Italy regarding the final amount and decision timeline. Italian officials, including Defense Minister Guido Crosetto and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, have consistently affirmed Italy's commitment to contributing to European defense efforts. Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti views the Safe instrument as a favorable option compared to interest rates on government bonds.

The funds will become accessible next year and are earmarked not only for new defense investments but also for restocking Italy's military supplies. These supplies have been significantly strained by the approximately 3 billion euros in military aid provided to Ukraine since the conflict's outset, in addition to 1.3 billion euros in humanitarian assistance. This move also comes in the context of a potential shift away from U.S. arms purchases for Ukraine, as suggested by Trump's Purl project, and Italy's commitment to further military aid packages for Kyiv.

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Despite its contributions, Italy ranks among the lower contributors of military aid in Europe, according to monitoring by the Kiel Institute. Unlike many other European nations, Italy has chosen to keep the specifics of its military aid packages, including types, quantities, and costs, classified. Only the Copasir parliamentary committee, bound by secrecy, is informed of these details. This decision, maintained by both the Draghi and Meloni administrations, contrasts with the public nature of aid provided by countries like Germany, the UK, and France.

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