The Belgian federal government has officially sanctioned an arms agreement between the Defence Ministry and FN Herstal, a renowned arms manufacturer. Valued at 1.7 billion euros, this deal
spans the next two decades, securing weaponry and ammunition for the Belgian army from the said company.
Long in the making, the government's collaboration with FN Herstal, owned by the Walloon government, materialized without the involvement of a public tender.
Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, in a press conference, cited Article 346 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union as justification. This article allows member states to deviate from EU regulations in the interest of safeguarding their essential security concerns.
Beyond just arms and ammunition, the deal encompasses maintenance, repairs, storage, and research and development. De Croo underlined that this agreement is projected to create an additional 60 jobs.
Defence Minister Ludivine Dedonder emphasized that the 1.7 billion euro figure serves as a starting point. Given the present geopolitical uncertainties, predicting the trajectory of this deal over the next two decades remains elusive.
Dedonder framed this agreement as a significant stride in fortifying Belgium's strategic independence, indicating that several other European countries have exhibited interest in participating in this initiative.
The conflict in Ukraine prompted the European Union to revitalize Europe's defense industry after a period of neglect. The surge in demand for arms and ammunition following the conflict highlighted Europe's heavy reliance on third-party sources for supplies. Photo by Flamenc, Wikimedia commons.