Cyprus has received its first payment of €177.2 million under the European Union’s Security Action for Europe (SAFE) defence financing instrument. This amount represents 15% of Cyprus’s total allocation of €1.2 billion from SAFE, a €150 billion fund aimed at supporting joint procurement of ammunition, missiles, air defence systems, and land combat systems within the EU.

The pre-financing injection will help Cyprus strengthen its military capabilities, advance key defence investments, and enhance resilience in line with shared European security goals. SAFE forms part of the European Commission’s ReArm Europe/Readiness 2030 plan, which seeks to mobilise over €800 billion in EU defence investments.

EU Commissioner for Defence and Space Andrius Kubilius emphasized that the funding demonstrates Europe’s commitment to solidarity and preparedness, enabling member states like Cyprus to rapidly invest in critical defence capabilities. Further payments to Cyprus under SAFE will be disbursed as agreed milestones are met.