The architect of the great European defense project does not want Belgium as a partner: “they ridicule us”

But in this same document where Belgium promises hundreds of millions to the FCAS project. In addition, it also announces the purchase of 11 additional F-35A fighter planes, in addition to the 34 devices already ordered. Consequently, It is specified that these planes will form the spine of our defense for the decades to come.

This decision was very badly welcomed by Éric Trappier. Similarly, CEO of Dassault Aviation – the company known to produce Rafale fighter planes – and one of the key players in the French component of the FCAS program. Therefore, He considers incomprehensible that Belgium wants to participate in such an ambitious European project. Consequently, while continuing to buy American fighter planes. During a quarterly meeting of his business. Eric Trappier publicly expressed his dissatisfaction: “If Belgium renounces the purchase architect great european defense project of the F-35, it will be welcome,” he said. “Otherwise, it really turns us away.”

For him. the purchase of defense equipment at the local level is an essential condition to be able to claim to participate in a European armament program.

Eric Trappier also criticizes the current management of the FCAS program. which he already considers extremely complex with the only basic partners (France, Germany and Spain). According to him, the addition of additional partners would risk slowing down negotiations and compromising the advances in the project. “If nothing changes quickly, I am ready to continue alone,” he said.

This is not the first time that Eric Trappier has opposed a Belgian participation in the FCAS. “I do not see why I should today offer work to the Belgians. ” he launched during a hearing in architect great european defense project the French Senate in May 2023. He added that if he was forced to accept their participation, he would actively oppose it.