Belgium to purchase additional F-35s and new air defense systems, sends 200 troops to Lithuania
The Kingdom of Belgium is planning to strengthen its air capabilities by purchasing 11 additional F-35 fighter jets. As part of NATO's defence reinforcement efforts aimed at increasing military spending, it will also acquire new air defence systems. As confirmation of its commitment to the Alliance, Belgium has also sent 200 soldiers to Lithuania to strengthen NATO's eastern flank. The Belgian government has previously stated that it is not enthusiastic about the US demand for 5% of GDP to be spent on defence, but will strive to be a valuable partner in the future.
Paradoxically, EU and NATO member states located in north-western Europe are not among those allies with higher defence spending; rather, the opposite is true. Belgium currently meets the Alliance's requirement of at least 2% of GDP for defence and plans to increase spending to 2.5% by 2034. Just one year later, the North Atlantic Alliance will require 5% of GDP to be spent on defence, specifically 3.5% on the military itself and the remaining 1.5% on broader security priorities such as critical infrastructure protection, logistics and cyber security.
"To be honest, we are not very enthusiastic about being forced to approve this new 5% target. However, Belgium has been a reliable partner and we intend to remain so. This means that we will not oppose achieving 5%. We will therefore adjust our budget using the maximum flexibility mechanism,‘ commented Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot in June, acknowledging shortcomings in the existing NATO partnership and comparing his country to the ’black sheep" of the Alliance.
However, the Belgians now want to change this and are ordering another 11 F-35 Lightning II fighter jets from the Americans. According to the Belgian Ministry of Defence, this is part of a broader strategic vision for the country's defence with a view to 2034. The investment is estimated at between €1 billion and €1.5 billion. According to commentators, the updated plan following the latest NATO summit signals a shift in Belgium's defence posture, with an emphasis on preparedness and international cooperation.
Belgium's total defence budget is set to increase from €10.8 billion to €18.2 billion, reaching a total of €139 billion over the next decade. ‘Everything we did during the Cold War will return, and on a much larger scale,’ said General Harold Van Pee, commenting on the decision and emphasising the scale of the planned increase in troop numbers. In ten years, the Belgian armed forces will expand to 34,500 active soldiers, supported by 8,500 civilian workers and 12,800 reservists. EUR 50 billion will be allocated for personnel costs.
In addition to state-of-the-art fighter jets, there are plans to supplement the air defence arsenal, following the example of European partners. Belgium will purchase Polish PPZR Piorun portable anti-aircraft missile systems, Norwegian NASAMS air defence systems and is also considering 20 German Skyranger 30 tower systems. It is with Germany, as the leading force in current European armament, that the Belgians want to cooperate closely.
As further confirmation of its commitment to NATO, the Belgian army sent nearly 200 soldiers to Lithuania at the end of July as part of Operation Forward Land Forces, which oversees multinational combat groups deployed in eight Eastern European countries. The Belgian troops, deployed at the request of Germany, will remain in Lithuania until 31 January next year.
The group will consist of approximately 100 members of the reconnaissance unit, 70 artillerymen, 10 staff officers and 10 soldiers specialising in logistics, medical support and military police. ‘This commitment demonstrates our readiness to assume responsibility within NATO, underlines our political and military solidarity with our partners and strengthens our bilateral ties with Germany,’ Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken said, according to The Brussels Times, adding that the operation will enable Belgian troops to improve their tactical skills and interoperability with international partners.
And it is not just about their own armaments, but also about demonstrating solidarity with Ukraine, which has been attacked by Russia, again in close cooperation with Germany. As part of Germany's Immediate Action on Air Defence (IAAD) initiative, Belgium will independently contribute €140 million to strengthen Ukraine's air defences against Russian attacks. Belgian Airbus A400M military transport aircraft will also provide logistical support.
