The country will spend the money on fighter jets, missile defence systems, and drones, among other things.

Belgium has unveiled a EUR33.8 billion defence spending programme to significantly enhance its military capabilities, the Belgian government’s ‘Strategic Vision Defence 2025’ plan has revealed.

Published on 18 July, the plan details the Belgian Ministry of Defence’s (MoD) spending priorities for 2026 through 2034. These include closing capability gaps in air defence and acquiring thousands of new vehicles.

Strengthening and completing the formation of the Medium Brigade, enabling its deployment from 2030 onwards, is also a key priority.

This comes after Belgium announced in February that it would raise defence spending to 2% of its GDP.

In its plan, the MoD called its current level of preparedness “inadequate”, adding that a drastic increase in its military capabilities is required to deal with heightened geopolitical threats.

“Our defence plans are still too fragmented. The defence industry is still insufficiently capable of supplying our armed forces in the event of a crisis or serious conflict”, the MoD said.

“Our army must transform into a robust armed force focused on deterrence and high-intensity conflicts within the context of collective defence. This paradigm shift requires us to address capability gaps, build strategic ammunition and materiel stockpiles, and increase our military presence”, the MoD added.

One capability gap Belgium looks to plug is in its air force, with the MoD revealing plans to purchase 11 additional F-35 fighter aircraft at a cost of EUR1.67 billion.

These new F-35s will help replace Belgium’s ageing fleet of F-16 fighter jets by 2028, a process the MoD has been involved in since 2018 when it committed to purchase 34 F-35s in 2018.

Additionally, Belgium will invest in missile defence systems, purchasing 10 short-to-medium-range Norwegian Advanced Surface to Air Missile Systems (NASAMS) and three long-range air defence systems to build a “multi-layered defence system”.

Developing these specific capabilities will take longer than the timeframe provided by this plan, the MoD noted, and the “delivery and operationalisation of the systems will continue during the next legislative period”.

The MoD has also budgeted EUR13.86 billion for the land domain, including EUR9.82 billion on developing the Belgian Armed Forces “motorised capability”.

Purchases in this area will comprise acquiring 1,500 combat vehicles including the VBRL-Serval, a light armoured multi-role vehicle, and the VMBR Griffon, an armoured personnel carrier.

To build out its combat capabilities, a second operational brigade – the Light Brigade – will be established, the final form of which will be determined during the current legislative period no later than 2028. Ultimately, the Light Brigade should be organised around three manoeuvre battalions: two infantry battalions and a yet-to-be-established third battalion that will specialise in combat drones (in addition to the systems already deployed within other units).

In addition, 3,680 logistical vehicles will be purchased to strengthen the army’s supply and support capabilities.

Belgium also plans to grow its military personnel to 34,500 by 2035 while also developing an “operational reserve” to encourage voluntary service in the army.

In terms of its naval capabilities, the MoD has budgeted EUR1.27 billion to purchase an anti-submarine frigate, along with necessary upgrades and support. A further EUR1.17 billion is being allocated towards mine warfare, including on a new logistic support ship and mine laying capability.

Belgium earmarks funds for surveillance capabilities

In other domains, the MoD committed to spending EUR616 million on enhancing its space capabilities through investment into ground-based sensors for space surveillance, the development of an optical telescope, docking stations, and satellite terminals. Belgium will also participate in ‘Odin’s Eye II’, a European Defence Agency project that will develop an early warning capability to counter ballistic missiles used in space.

To further support its surveillance capabilities, the MoD plans on purchasing a third MQ-9B drone at a cost of EUR254 million, along with the necessary upgrades to its existing MQ-9B fleet and capacity to equip these drones with “integrated armament to enable remote crews to carry out precision strikes while maintaining long-term surveillance”.

A range of new helicopters, from light utility to rotary wing air transport will also be acquired for its various forces.

This defence spending plan is “not intended to be definitive”, the MoD said, noting that parameters evolve and regular adjustments are necessary.

“Therefore, the defence budget, drawn up on the basis of a multi-year plan, is updated and approved annually. This dual approach guarantees an appropriate budgetary balance, ensuring that the allocated resources remain relevant and effective in light of changing operational and economic realities”, the MoD said.

DSEI Gateway News is part of DSEI UK and the broader Clarion Defence portfolio. 
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