Italy will request €14.9 billion from the European Union's SAFE defence lending facility before the end of the year, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced following a NATO summit briefing in Ankara.
Tajani told joint foreign affairs and defence committees in Rome that Defence Minister Guido Crosetto will determine how the funds are allocated next year. Crosetto clarified that SAFE serves as an alternative to government bonds rather than additional spending, while Tajani later suggested actual usage may fall between €6 billion and €9 billion.
The SAFE instrument, which entered into force on 29 May 2025 as part of the ReArm Europe initiative, provides up to €150 billion in loans for defence investment. The European Commission welcomed Italy's interest but requested prompt clarity for implementation planning.