this post was submitted on 08 Jan 2026
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The deal concludes months of tough talks and will allow Ottawa to take part in procurements financed by the EU’s SAFE program.

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[–] HowRu68@lemmy.world 56 points 2 days ago

Good. Together strong πŸ‡ͺπŸ‡Ί &πŸ‡¨πŸ‡¦.

[–] Buffalox@lemmy.world 37 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (2 children)

It's very significant that Canada joined IMO, they have a lot of good tech that can benefit us all if we make agreements on production. I really hope the SAAB Gripen deal goes though with Canada, it could be a major boost to SAAB, and it's such a cool deal for both parties.

Countries not in EU that have joined SAFE:

Albania, Canada, Japan, Moldova, North Macedonia, Norway, South Korea, and the United Kingdom.

https://defence-industry-space.ec.europa.eu/eu-defence-industry/safe-security-action-europe_en

Interesting that South Korea and Japan are in tit too. πŸ‘

[–] HowRu68@lemmy.world 14 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (1 children)

UK has joined, thought they pulled out?

#E they did pull out in November

[–] Buffalox@lemmy.world 12 points 2 days ago (1 children)

I heard not long ago they were not considered stable enough by EU to participate, but they are in the list, which I have to admit I'm quite happy about, UK should be a significant part of the European defense.

[–] HowRu68@lemmy.world 12 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

Afaik fhe issue for UK was the high entree fee. Also SAFE is part of " warmer EU ties", ilke the Erasmus project, and as such it maybe considered as sort of "package deal". So, could be they are not YET onboard, but since Starmer put the EU common market on the agenda recently, it might be renegotiated later this year.

[–] snoons@lemmy.ca 4 points 1 day ago

That would be soo cool to see Gripens at caf bases!

[–] avidamoeba@lemmy.ca 8 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

Please let's not buy American weapons with this fund.. please...

[–] HowRu68@lemmy.world 13 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Maybe first read what it is.. please.

[–] avidamoeba@lemmy.ca 3 points 1 day ago (2 children)

Yes. Does this sound like it doesn't allow for buying US weapons?

Under SAFE, third countries can account for a maximum of 35 percent of the value of a weapons system paid for by the scheme;

[–] HowRu68@lemmy.world 5 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

It never occurred to me to interpret it that way. So to me, third countries would be Japan, South Korea that are participating in Safe. But, probably they could procure from the US under special conditions. I'm not sure. In this light, I get your point better. But the whole project's aim is to decouple afaik.

[–] avidamoeba@lemmy.ca 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I saw another article that said a third country could be any country. I know SAFE aims to decouple in principle but I'm infinitely suspicious of these fuckers (EU, Canadian, etc. politicians) because too often they serve moneyed interests and the US MIC is highly moneyed and connected.

[–] HowRu68@lemmy.world 2 points 1 day ago

Yes, let's hope it works as intended.

[–] kandoh@reddthat.com 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Even Iran had to buy US arms after 79. Existing equipment needs replacement parts.

[–] avidamoeba@lemmy.ca 1 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

I'm not concerned about buying replacement parts. Given everything we've seen, Trump's government twisting nations' hands into buying US goods, do you think the US MIC won't be playing for as much of that fund as they can?

E: This spending would very likely be used to cut on social stability spending so the only way it is conscionable is if it goes towards the development of the MIC of these countries, so the capital is recirculated. Not towards the most overpriced MIC in the world whose political representatives happen to also be threatening our collective territorial integeity and economic stability.

In my opinion. As a Canadian taxpayer holding an EU passport.

[–] T00l_shed@lemmy.world 8 points 2 days ago