Belgium Unveils Ambitious Plan to Strengthen Its Military: Navy, Fighters, and New Brigade

Belgium plans to form an investment fund of €36 billion, which will finance a large-scale rearmament of the army and the formation of a new mechanized brigade.

De Morgen reported on this, citing its own sources.

At the end of June, Western heads of state and government will gather in The Hague for the annual NATO summit, where it is expected that an increase in the defense spending norm for each country will be agreed to 5% of the gross domestic product.

The publication notes that before this meeting, Belgium must demonstrate an increase in previously agreed defense spending to 2% of GDP and prepare a concrete investment plan to reassure its allies.

The development of the defense investment plan has been entrusted to the Ministry of Defence, and according to sources, it involves signing a series of defense contracts totaling €36 billion by 2035.

One of the key elements of the plan is the order for additional F-35 fighter jets, which will replace the retired F-16s in the Belgian Air Component.

According to available information, the plan is to purchase 21 more aircraft. This will give the Air Component a total of 55 combat aircraft, the number NATO expects from Belgium. Due to the Russian threat, the Alliance has strengthened its demands to ensure readiness for direct confrontation with Moscow.

Around €5 billion are allocated for combat aviation. This amount also includes future upgrades for the already ordered F-35s, as well as participation in a European project for managing the aircraft database, which is currently under the control of the United States.

In addition, the government plans to purchase two more MQ-9B SkyGuardian reconnaissance-strike medium-altitude drones.

The investment plan for the navy includes the purchase of a third frigate at a cost of around €1.3 billion. This will allow the country to always have one combat-ready warship while the other two are undergoing maintenance or training.

Air defense is the top priority in political plans. Under the slogan “no more wars,” this component of the armed forces was essentially dismantled in the 1990s. This issue is set to be addressed through the acquisition of new surface-to-air missile systems as part of the investment project.

Belgium is looking to its partnership with the Netherlands, planning to build up its air defense forces with similar equipment. The first step will be the purchase of Norwegian NASAMS systems — ten batteries, each with four launchers.

Cybersecurity is also a major focus. The plan includes an expenditure of €4 billion to strengthen this area.

The ground forces can expect the creation of a second motorized brigade — a combat unit with a staff of 3,000 soldiers who will be equipped with armored vehicles. Over €10 billion are planned for the development of the ground forces by 2035.

The publication notes that the investment plan does not contain major surprises. The government adheres to NATO’s capability targets — in addition to the obligation to spend 2% of GDP on defense, the Alliance sets specific requirements for each country every four years on what they must contribute to collective defense.

However, so far, the government has only reached a budgetary agreement regarding the increase in defense spending for 2025. The remaining issues still need to be resolved.