The Belgian government is in the process of evaluating a 1.7 billion euro agreement with the arms manufacturer FN Herstal. This deal entails the provision of light weapons and ammunition to
both the military and police over the next two decades, as reported by De Tijd and L'Echo on Thursday. Several other EU member states are also exploring potential agreements with the Belgian manufacturer to enhance their weapons and ammunition supplies.
The strategic partnership, crafted by Belgium in collaboration with FN Herstal and endorsed by the Ministry of Defence, encompasses the replenishment and management of weaponry for both the military and police. It also covers maintenance, research and development, weapons storage, and ammunition delivery over the next 20 years.
Under this arrangement, the military will receive 1.333 billion euros, while the police will be allocated 384 million euros. Ammunition valued at approximately 900 million euros will be designated for the military, with around 310 million euros set aside for the police, based on a report from the financial inspectorate that was reviewed by L'Echo.
Belgium's Defence Minister, Ludivine Dedonder (PS), chose not to opt for a public tender process, which would have permitted competitive bids. This decision aligns with her initiative to rebuild Belgium's defense industry. She stated, "This substantial project will not only enhance our strategic national autonomy but also safeguard our supply lines," as conveyed to De Tijd.
In awarding the contract to FN Herstal, Belgium invoked Article 346 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, which allows "any Member State may take measures deemed necessary for the protection of essential security interests which concern the production or commercialization of arms, munitions, and war material."
Amid growing demand, the expansion of arms and ammunition production facilities is being urged across Europe to ensure a consistent supply to Ukraine. Nevertheless, manufacturers like FN Herstal are hesitant to invest in additional production lines until they secure orders for the coming years, even if the conflict in Ukraine were to conclude.
Consequently, the significance of long-term agreements extends beyond Belgium. France, for instance, has confirmed its intent to place orders worth 100 million euros with FN Herstal from 2024 to 2030, primarily for the acquisition of machine guns. While the Netherlands and Luxembourg have expressed interest in purchasing ammunition for FN's light weapons, they have not yet made definitive commitments. Photo by Flamenc, Wikimedia commons.