Greece’s decision to participate in the new European SAFE (Security Action for Europe) program is a strategic choice that strengthens national security, the defense industry, and the country’s position within the European framework.
It is a landmark financing instrument amounting to €150 billion, giving member states the ability to acquire critical defense systems through long-term loans on favorable terms, without immediate budgetary impact.
Greece requested roughly €1.2 billion, aiming to procure anti-air and anti-missile systems such as the Israeli BARAK MX and the PULS missile system, which are deemed essential for strengthening national deterrence. At the same time, our participation in SAFE paves the way for a substantial upgrade of the domestic defense industry, since the program requires at least 65% of the equipment’s value to be produced within the EU or in Ukraine. This means a significant share of production can pass through Greek hands, creating new jobs and investments in technological and industrial innovation.
This choice is particularly important at a time of intensifying geopolitical instability. With the war in Ukraine ongoing and conflicts in the Middle East generating continual security challenges and migratory pressures, Greece is reinforcing its defense posture and hardening itself against threats tied to the wider Eastern Mediterranean. SAFE’s alignment with our Euro-Atlantic orientation makes Greece a reliable partner that contributes meaningfully to Europe’s collective security.
There have, of course, been reservations at the European level. Hungary was the only country to vote against, citing sovereignty concerns and worries about excessive indebtedness. Germany and the Netherlands raised objections about the financing method, fearing that using Eurobonds for defense spending could set a precedent, while France insisted on strict application of the “Buy European” rule in order to protect the European defense industry. It should be noted that France, Germany, and Hungary do not share the same sense of threat as Greece; their criticism relates mainly to their economic interests and less to the geopolitical environment we face in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Certainly, more favorable terms for Greece would have been welcome, but the framework is given and stable. Therefore, the real question was not the negotiation of terms, but participation or abstention.
Participation in SAFE thus serves multiple aims: bolstering security, strengthening the defense industry, fostering growth, and consolidating Greece’s international standing. Greece has shown that when it acts with strategic composure and a European orientation, it can turn challenges into opportunities and effectively defend its national interests. Unfortunately, a fear-driven mindset still dominates some quarters—especially regarding our relations with neighbors—cultivating insecurity and undermining our confidence, often at odds with reality. Such a stance yields short-term petty-political or personal gains for those who promote it, but seriously harms the country. In diplomacy, fear is the door that leads to defeat. As the French say, “Si tu n’es pas là, tu as tort”—if you’re not there, you’re in the wrong.