Defence minister Francken invites arms companies to invest in Belgium during US visit
Defence minister Theo Francken on Tuesday called on international defence companies to establish operations in Belgium. The country, along with Europe as a whole, must rapidly expand industrial capacity to rebuild depleted military stockpiles, he said during a visit to the US.
During an event hosted by the Atlantic Council think tank in Washington, Francken stressed the need for Europe to strengthen its defence manufacturing. "We need missiles and ammunition because stocks are very low," the minister said.
Due to the ammunition shortage, Europe cannot afford to turn away American companies seeking to co-produce on the continent, Francken argued. Specifically, he invited both international defence companies to direct investment towards Belgium. "Everyone is welcome. We are not selective."
Earlier on Tuesday, Francken had visited the Pentagon, where he met senior US defence officials. During those talks, he proposed involving Belgian industry in the production of missiles ordered by Belgium from American suppliers. "We made that offer to the Americans today," he wrote on X.
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During the Atlantic Council event, Francken also addressed tensions within NATO following recent criticism by Donald Trump. The US president has described the alliance as a "paper tiger" and accused European members of staying too distant from the conflict in Iran.
"The frustration about NATO supposedly not being engaged is a bit strange," Francken said, stressing that NATO is a defensive alliance whose mission is to protect its own territory. He described the current transatlantic relationship as "a marital crisis".
While Francken acknowledged the "brutality" of Trump's criticisms, he remains optimistic about the future of the alliance. "I do not panic about the end of NATO," he said. "There is a lot of pessimism, but the NATO summit in The Hague was a success. European countries stepped up their efforts there."
"There is a lot of pessimism, but the NATO summit in The Hague was a success. European countries stepped up their efforts there."
Francken added that he saw no practical signs of an American withdrawal from NATO. "There is no withdrawal of US troops from Europe. And the budget submitted to Congress includes an increase for NATO programmes."
During his visit to Washington, Francken was also due to meet US Defence secretary Pete Hegseth, according to his post on X.
© BELGA PHOTO KURT DESPLENTER
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