{
    "title": "Belgium to invest \u20ac3.7 billion in defence innovation",
    "modified_at": "2026-06-08 09:16:46",
    "published_at": "2026-06-08 09:16:00",
    "url": "https://www.belganewsagency.eu/belgium-to-invest-37-billion-in-defence-innovation",
    "short_url": "http://prez.ly/ClId",
    "culture": "en_BE",
    "language": "EN",
    "slug": "belgium-to-invest-37-billion-in-defence-innovation",
    "body": "<p><strong>Belgium will invest &euro;3.7 billion in defence innovation between 2026 and 2035 through a new programme called ODIN, Defence minister Theo Francken announced.</strong></p><p>The initiative aims to speed up the development of new technologies for the Belgian armed forces while also supporting Belgium&rsquo;s defence industry.</p><p>ODIN is part of the Defence, Industry and Research Strategy (DIRS), a long-term plan developed since 2022 by the Royal Higher Institute for Defence and the Federal Public Service Economy. Under the strategy, &euro;350 million will be invested each year in research, innovation and industrial production.</p><p>According to Francken, the goal is to turn investment into practical results more quickly. &ldquo;This is not about plans on paper. It is about investing &euro;3.7 billion in a focused way over the coming years&rdquo;, he said.</p><p>ODIN will bring together the Defence Ministry, economic authorities, Belgium&rsquo;s regional governments, companies, research centres and universities. The programme will identify key technologies where Belgium can make a difference and then develop concrete projects based on the needs of the armed forces.</p><p>The government hopes the investment will help modernise Belgium&rsquo;s military capabilities and strengthen the country&rsquo;s position in the growing European defence sector.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><sup>Defence minister Theo Francken &copy; BELGA PHOTO EMILE WINDAL</sup></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>",
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    "author": {
        "first_name": "Flanders",
        "last_name": "News Service"
    },
    "format_version": 5
}