Flanders sees sharp rise in arms export permit requests
The value of arms trade permit applications in Flanders has jumped sharply, rising from 228 million euros in 2024 to 776 million in 2025, according to Flemish minister president Matthias Diependaele. No applications were refused last year.
The increase is partly due to companies using new multi-year permits that cover several deals at once. These permits rose from four to 12 and include expected exports for the next three years, all counted in the year of application. A few very large cases also pushed the total higher, including a 120 million euro export licence for helicopter parts to Ecuador.
The main destinations for Flemish defence exports remained the US, Germany and the UK. Exports to Ukraine stayed stable.
On Friday, the Flemish government is set to launch a long-term plan to grow its defence industry, called the Flemish Innovation and Industry Strategy for Security and Defence. The government has set aside 5 million euros last year and 15 million this year, and plans to invest 135 million in total by 2029. Key areas include aviation, space technology and artificial intelligence.
Industry group Agoria says the sector could at least double in size over the next eight years, although banks and universities are still cautious about working with defence firms. Brussels will also host its own defence trade fair in March.
Peace groups and NGOs, however, warn about increasing militarisation in Europe since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
#FlandersNewsService | © BELGA PHOTO VIRGINIE LEFOUR
Related news
