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 euros, 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 euros 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 euros in orders, followed by Italy (83.2m), Germany (77.8m), the UK (52.4m) and the US (47.6m).
The report, viewed by newspaper L’Echo, also highlighted 89.9 million euros worth of licences for the transfer of production capacity.
FN Browning Group in Liege © BELGA PHOTO NATACHA FREISEN
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