BUDAPEST, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Hungary has submitted a 17.4 billion euros (20.2 billion U.S. dollars) national investment plan under the Security Action for Europe (SAFE) instrument, exceeding its preliminary 16.2 billion euros allocation, the government said Tuesday.
The SAFE program offers European Union (EU) member states long-term, low-interest loans for defense and security projects, with rates expected to be about 200 basis points below market levels.
Approved by EU leaders in May 2025, SAFE has attracted early interest from 18 member states for at least 127 billion euros in potential procurements, with Hungary holding the third-largest indicative envelope after Poland and Romania.
Following a European Commission assessment and Council decision, Hungary expects to sign a loan agreement early next year and receive an advance equal to 15 percent of the approved amount in spring 2026. (1 euro = 1.16 U.S. dollar) ■