**Article:**
The European Commission has given the green light to eight new defence investment plans under the Strategic Autonomy through Forward-looking and Efficient Defence (SAFE) initiative, with a combined value of €74 billion. This move is part of the EU’s broader Readiness 2030 strategy, which aims to strengthen defence capabilities across member states by the end of the decade.
SAFE is a key component of the EU’s plan to boost military preparedness and resilience amid ongoing geopolitical tensions. The initiative focuses on funding projects that enhance defence technology, equipment, and infrastructure to ensure the bloc is better prepared for potential security challenges.
These investments are intended to support long-term defence modernization efforts, with many intelligence assessments warning of possible future threats to European security, including the risk of conflict involving Russia.
**Why this matters:**
The approval of these defence plans represents a significant step in the EU’s effort to increase collective security and military readiness. By investing billions in defence projects, the EU aims to reduce dependency on external powers and improve its ability to respond to emerging threats. This is especially important given ongoing concerns about regional stability and the potential for future conflicts in Europe.
Source: NewsData