EU Commission considers second SAFE loans scheme for defence projects

The European Commission is

considering launching a second edition of its multi-billion-euro

SAFE loans scheme for defence projects as Europe seeks to

bolster its defences due to growing fears of Russia and doubts

about U.S. security commitments, according to two EU officials.



European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on

Thursday evening at an event hosted by Politico in Brussels that

the original 150 billion euro ($176 billion) scheme had been so

over-subscribed that some EU members were now calling for a

second one.



The two EU officials, speaking on condition of anonymity to

discuss internal deliberations, said the Commission was actively

looking into the idea.