Belgium set to launch largest ammunition investment in military history with €2.3 billion plan
On Wednesday, Belgian Defence minister Theo Francken (N-VA) announced in Parliament that he will submit a €2.3 billion ammunition procurement package to the federal cabinet next week. Earmarked for spending before the end of the year, the money would represent the largest single investment in ammunition in the country's military history.
This announcement comes as Belgium moves to align its defence budget with NATO targets. Member states have agreed to gradually increase military spending to 5% of GDP by 2035, with 3.5% allocated to direct defence expenditure and 1.5% to related investments. Belgium is set to reach the 2% mark this year and plans to maintain this level until 2033, before increasing to 2.5% in 2034. However, a review is scheduled for 2029, just ahead of national elections, which could shift political priorities.
Ammunition, ammunition, ammunition
Francken confirmed that €4 billion would be added to the defence budget this year to meet the 2% target, with most of this going towards what he repeatedly referred to as "ammunition, ammunition, ammunition". He warned that Belgium’s current stockpiles are dangerously low.
Ammunition Readiness Plan
The new procurement package is part of the wider Ammunition Readiness Plan 2025, which seeks to replenish munitions stocks and build long-term resilience into the supply chain. Priority will be given to critical ammunition types linked to newly acquired weapons systems. However, some deliveries will take up to seven years, which highlights the need for immediate action.
Citing the war in Ukraine as a wake-up call, Francken noted the extraordinary pace of ammunition use in modern conflict. He argued that Belgium must establish long-term partnerships with manufacturers to keep production lines operational.
The investment will cover munitions for all branches of the armed forces. For the land forces, this includes artillery shells, mortars, and anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles. The navy will acquire a range of new missile systems and the air force will purchase guided missiles for air defence and long-range precision strikes.
Game changer
Notably, this will be the first time that Belgium has invested in cruise missile capabilities, with the Joint Strike Missile (JSM) allowing targets to be struck from beyond enemy airspace. Francken described this development as a 'game changer' for national deterrence and operational autonomy.
The minister also noted that Belgium is close to meeting NATO's 1.5% benchmark for defence spending. He expects this target to be met by the end of this year or the beginning of next year. Although he acknowledged that core defence spending still poses a significant fiscal challenge, Francken argued that meeting the investment target would change the tone of the national debate.
© BELGA PHOTO KURT DESPLENTER
Related News
