Canada set to look away from its neighbour and across the Atlantic for partners
Canada has ordered F-35s but may also look to a European solution in a similar class. (Photo: Lockheed Martin)
While non-EU UK struggles to join the Security Action for Europe initiative, which provides loans for defence programmes, Canada has become the first country outside Europe to get access – and did so for a nominal fee.
Canada signed a Security and Defence Partnership with the EU in June this year and launched negotiations for membership in Security Action for Europe (SAFE), a key pillar of the EU’s Readiness 2030 plan. It was announced on 2 December that Canada is now a member.
Adopted by the Council of the EU on 27 May, SAFE is the EU’s new financial instrument designed to provide support to member states to speed up defence readiness. SAFE does this by allowing major investments in support of the European defence industry, with a focus on closing critical capability gaps.
SAFE provides up to
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Defence Notes
-
![Is the US magazine of air defence interceptors deep enough to sustain a long campaign against Iran?]()
Is the US magazine of air defence interceptors deep enough to sustain a long campaign against Iran?
The Pentagon spent a considerable number of THAAD and SM-3 rounds to attack Iran in 2025 and has not fully replenished its reserves.
-
![New Zealand buys tri-service uncrewed kit from Syos Aerospace]()
New Zealand buys tri-service uncrewed kit from Syos Aerospace
As uncrewed technology continues to play an increasingly central role in modern military activities, New Zealand’s recent acquisitions point towards its the force’s focus on cost-effective capability.
-
![US Air Force pushes Sentinel’s initial capability to early 2030s despite China’s nuclear progress]()
US Air Force pushes Sentinel’s initial capability to early 2030s despite China’s nuclear progress
While the US struggles to modernise the 50-year-old land leg of its nuclear triad, China has been rapidly developing and fielding new nuclear capabilities.
