We are pleased to announce the release of our paper ‘BELGIAN DEFENCE’, realised in cooperation with the FPS Foreign Affairs, Flanders Investment & Trade (FIT), the Wallonia Export-Investment Agency (AWEX) and hub.brussels.
During the official State Visit to France 🇧🇪 🇫🇷, an activity focused on defence cooperation, including personnel exchanges, joint training exercises, collaborative procurement, and the development of collective projects within the EU and NATO frameworks, will be organised. In light of this, the Belgian Foreign Trade Agency has decided to release the paper of the sectoral publication ‘Belgian Defence’ early.
The paper ‘Belgian Defence’ provides a comprehensive overview of the Belgian defence sector, which fully exploits its strategic position in Europe, near major defence suppliers such as France, Germany and the UK. Belgium has a rich history in arms production and technological innovation, supported by a strong academic base, making it a crucial player in both national and international defence.
The document highlights the complexity of the current geopolitical environment and Belgium's role within international and European defence organisations, with a particular focus on the country's strategic partnerships and capabilities. The adoption of the STAR plan underlines Belgium's ambition to further modernise its defence capabilities and adapt to the challenges of hybrid warfare and cybersecurity.
The first part of the paper provides an in-depth analysis of the international defence context, covering increasing military spending and cooperation initiatives. The second part discusses key initiatives such as PESCO and the European Defence Fund (EDF) that enable EU member states to cooperate on defence projects, improving interoperability and strengthening Europe's strategic autonomy. The final section explains the Belgian defence sector itself, including its five main components and the role of dual-use capabilities, which are used for both civilian and military purposes. The implementation of the STAR plan and adjustments to the Belgian defence budget illustrate the country's strategic priorities to promote technological leadership while strengthening EU and NATO cooperation. All this contributes to a sustainable and efficient defence system that ensures both Belgium's and Europe's security.
The full sectoral publication will be officially released in early 2025, following its traditional format. Beside the comprehensive introduction (paper), the publication will feature success stories highlighting four companies from each region, and present a dedicated chapter with relevant stakeholders.
