Belgium to invest 348m euro in mortar procurement as part of defence overhaul
Belgium will buy a range of 120mm mortar rounds over the next six years as part of its efforts to build a more robust and credible defence force, Defence minister Theo Francken announced on Monday.
The contract, worth 348 million euros, covers the period from 2025 to 2031 and includes high explosive shells, smoke rounds and training ammunition. A public tender will now be launched to find a supplier.
Francken said the arrival of the first mobile GRIFFON MEPAC - mortar for close-in fire support was "not a symbolic step; it is a structural modernisation of our firepower”.
"We want to deploy our troops in European formations, shoulder to shoulder with our allies, with identical equipment and the same operating methods"
The investment is part of Belgium’s broader partnership with France under the CaMo project, formally relaunched at the end of July. According to Francken, the cooperation goes well beyond equipment.
“This is about doctrine, education, training and logistical integration. We want to deploy our troops in European formations, shoulder to shoulder with our allies, with identical equipment and the same operating methods,” he said.
The aim is to develop two fully operational artillery batteries by 2030.
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