BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 31. Latvia has submitted an application for funding from the newly established European Security Action Fund (SAFE), aiming to strengthen the combat capabilities of its National Armed Forces and accelerate the implementation of NATO capability targets, Trend reports.
“This is the right time to invest in strengthening Latvia’s defense. The resources we allocate today will significantly enhance Latvia’s security in the future and contribute to the development of our national defense industry,” said Minister of Defense Andris Sprūds.
Latvia's preliminary defense requisites within the SAFE paradigm
encompass 18 active and prospective acquisition initiatives,
alongside supplementary recognized demands to accelerate the
realization of NATO capability benchmarks and sustained assistance
for Ukraine.
The comprehensive, overarching request delineates an additional 39
projects, encompassing initiatives from the Ministries of
Transport, Health, and Interior, which are anticipated to directly
bolster national security and defense imperatives.
SAFE represents a fiscal mechanism instituted by the European
Union, enabling member states to procure supplementary financing
from the European Commission to mitigate significant deficiencies
in defense capabilities.
It also encourages greater defense investment and the strengthening of the European defense industry. Importantly, SAFE provides loans—not grants—meant to complement national defense funding, not replace or expand national budgets.
By July 29, Latvia’s Ministry of Defense was mandated to present
its declaration of intent to the European Commission, delineating
critical capability domains and specifying both baseline and
upper-limit financial requirements.
In alignment with interdepartmental synergies, the Ministry of
Defense has formulated a robust strategic initiative aimed at
bolstering national security objectives, with a focus on achieving
project operational readiness by the year 2030.
Subsequent to the submission phase, the European Commission will
undertake a comprehensive assessment of the applications from all
participating nations and ascertain prospective funding
distributions within the framework of the SAFE program.
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