MILAN — Canada has become the first non-EU country to join the bloc’s flagship rearmament program, Security Action for Europe (SAFE), whose funds could support Ottawa’s fighter jet and submarine procurement.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced this week that his government struck a deal to join the EU’s €150 billion initiative that provides loans for joint military procurement to boost readiness.

“Participation in SAFE will unlock billions of dollars in potential defense opportunities for Canadian businesses, attract new reliable suppliers for our Armed Forces, and open massive new opportunities for national manufacturers to build and export Canadian-made capabilities,” Carney said in a statement.

Canada is in a review stage of its next-generation fighter jet purchase. It has

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