oldcpu
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Some speculation here ...
Canada’s formal participation in the EU's Security Action For Europe (SAFE) program, effective as of February 14, 2026, has opened a new opportunity for Canadian defense industry involvement. Under the SAFE program, EU-backed low-interest loans are available to support the purchase and integration of European-origin military equipment.
For the Royal Canadian Navy’s (RCN) River-Class (Canadian Surface Combatant) procurement, this agreement could provide tangible benefits. The program’s provisional application, triggered by the signing on February 14, opens a direct pathway for Canadian firms to potentially access financing for their work on European-sourced systems already planned for these vessels. They may also be eligible to provide parts for selective European SAFE procurement programs.
There are a couple European-origin systems, slated for the River-Class Destroyer, that could potentially benefit from SAFE financing. These are Leonardo’s 127mm naval gun, and 30mm Lionfish, all of which are European-made. If Leonardo products are chosen for the River-Class, Canadian industry could qualify for low-interest financing to assist with the integration, maintenance, and support of these systems. Canada could also potentially join larger procurements of these weapons from other participating SAFE countries
The 80% Canadian content implementation within the SAFE framework could also open up opportunities for Canadian firms to participate in other European defense projects, further extending the potential benefits.
If a future River Class Destroyer should decide to add MASS ECM (which I concede is a pit of a pet desire of mine), that too may potentially benefit from SAFE.
So this could be another aspect in our discussion of a Leonardo 127mm vs a BAE 5-inch, where the cost of integrating the Leonardo 127mm (and subsequent maintenance parts synergy and munitions procurement) could ultimately have further benefit from SAFE.
Canada’s formal participation in the EU's Security Action For Europe (SAFE) program, effective as of February 14, 2026, has opened a new opportunity for Canadian defense industry involvement. Under the SAFE program, EU-backed low-interest loans are available to support the purchase and integration of European-origin military equipment.
For the Royal Canadian Navy’s (RCN) River-Class (Canadian Surface Combatant) procurement, this agreement could provide tangible benefits. The program’s provisional application, triggered by the signing on February 14, opens a direct pathway for Canadian firms to potentially access financing for their work on European-sourced systems already planned for these vessels. They may also be eligible to provide parts for selective European SAFE procurement programs.
There are a couple European-origin systems, slated for the River-Class Destroyer, that could potentially benefit from SAFE financing. These are Leonardo’s 127mm naval gun, and 30mm Lionfish, all of which are European-made. If Leonardo products are chosen for the River-Class, Canadian industry could qualify for low-interest financing to assist with the integration, maintenance, and support of these systems. Canada could also potentially join larger procurements of these weapons from other participating SAFE countries
The 80% Canadian content implementation within the SAFE framework could also open up opportunities for Canadian firms to participate in other European defense projects, further extending the potential benefits.
If a future River Class Destroyer should decide to add MASS ECM (which I concede is a pit of a pet desire of mine), that too may potentially benefit from SAFE.
So this could be another aspect in our discussion of a Leonardo 127mm vs a BAE 5-inch, where the cost of integrating the Leonardo 127mm (and subsequent maintenance parts synergy and munitions procurement) could ultimately have further benefit from SAFE.
