The European Commission has approved rearmament plans for France and the Czech Republic

The European Commission has approved the national defense plans of France and the Czech Republic as part of the EU's SAFE rearmament initiative. 

This was reported by the European Commission’s press service.

According to a press release from the Commission dated March 25, 2026, following the signing of the relevant agreements, the Czech Republic and France will be eligible for loans of €2.06 billion and €15.09 billion, respectively. The EU Council has four weeks to adopt implementation decisions, after which the first payments are expected as early as next month.

The plan for Hungary is currently under review; its funding has not yet been approved due to the ongoing verification process by Commission experts. Previously, the Council had already approved plans for 16 member states that joined the SAFE mechanism, including Poland. Poland’s rearmament program is accompanied by internal political debates between President Karol Nawrocki and Donald Tusk’s government amid growing threats due to Russian aggression.

As a reminder, Poland will continue the SAFE program despite the president’s veto.

Poland will also not send troops to Iran via the Strait of Hormuz.