Walloon arms exports fell by a third in 2024

Arms exports from Wallonia dropped sharply in 2024, falling 32 per cent to €860.7 million, according to a report presented behind closed doors in the regional parliament on Monday by minister-president Adrien Dolimont.

Despite a 20 per cent rise in the number of export licences granted (1,618 in total), the value of sales fell from €1.27 billion in 2023. Of these, 985 licences went to private companies and 633 to public bodies. This reflects a long-term shift towards private-sector clients.

Since Wallonia banned arms sales to Saudi Arabia, once its main client, exports have been increasingly directed towards European markets. France was the largest customer last year, with €97.6 million in orders, followed by Italy (€83.2m), Germany (€77.8m), the UK (€52.4m) and the United States (€47.6m). 

The report, viewed by newspaper L’Echo, also highlighted €89.9 million worth of licences for the transfer of production capacity. 

^{FN Browning Group in Liege © BELGA PHOTO NATACHA FREISEN}