In the 2025 strategic vision that it has just published, Belgium has confirmed the purchase of eleven F-35A bombardaries additional from the American Lockheed Martin, with the idea that these devices can be assembled in Italy.
“Today, the F-35 is the most widespread fighting aircraft within NATO in terms of quantity, operational presence and strategic convergence. This makes it a pillar of interoperability and transatlantic and European cooperation in the Alliance. This interoperability is reflected in terms of logistics, operational tactics and operational planning, ”justified the document.
Also, Belgium excludes maintaining a mixed fleet, that is to say composed of at least two different types of combat aircraft. At least for the moment because this could be the case in the future, subject to having the financial means.
However, the strategic vision 2025 also confirmed Belgium’s desire to fully participate in the air combat system of the future [SCAF]led by France as part of cooperation with Germany and Spain. And that when she has already obtained the status of observer in June 2024. “It is a major evolution. This enlargement will anchor this project even more in Europe at the heart of the air defense of tomorrow, “said President Macron, after Brussels expressed his intentions, a year earlier.
More specifically, Belgium wishes to join the SCAF from phase 2, which will aim, in particular, to fly a new generation fighting aircraft demonstrator [NGF – New Generation Fighter]. To this end, it provides an investment of 300 million euros.
Only, already having difficulty playing his role as prime contractor for the NGF [pilier n° 1 du SCAF] Due to a mode of governance which puts it in the minority against Airbus, Dassault Aviation has always seen with a bad eye the possible arrival of Belgium in this project. And this is what his CEO, Éric Trappier, recalled, during the press conference given on the occasion of the presentation of the semi -annual results of the aircraft manufacturer on July 22.
Asked about Belgian intentions, the latter did not mince his words. “Either I am unpleasant, or I am not. As I am rather a diplomat, I would say that if it gives up buying F-35, Belgium is welcome. If I was not a diplomat, I would say that she doesn’t care about our ‘mouth’. You choose the right answer, ”said Mr. Trappier.
“Honestly, Belgium has just announced, in the middle of a trade war between Europe and the United States, that it was going to buy F-35. I have nothing against it. What surprises me is that she announces it when she says she wants to join the SCAF, “continued the CEO of Dassault Aviation.
“The F-35 takes more time to be produced than the Rafale, which is not necessarily a great performance. It therefore takes four or five years, which brings us to 2030. A fighting aircraft lasts 30 to 40 years. So we are returned to 2060/70 before they [les Belges] need to renew their fleet. This is what some have replied [pays] Europeans: ‘We would like European combat aircraft but as we just bought F-35, come back to us when they are at the end of the race’. It is not more effective vis-à-vis the construction of Europe but it is almost more honest than saying ‘I want Europeans, and in particular the French, give me work but I buy American, “developed Mr. Trappier.
In addition, with regard to the governance of the SCAF, the CEO of Dassault Aviation denied [mais il l’a quand même laissé dire jusqu’alors] Have demanded 80 % of the work for the NGF.
However, he repeated what he said previously during two recent parliamentary hearings [sans compter ses interventions dans la presse]namely that, as a prime contractor, he must have the levers to carry out the development of the NGF.
“The question arises for the efficiency of the project which is three countries […] Where there is not a real leader but three ‘co-co-co’, “said Mr. Trappier. How can I have leadership when I have someone who weighs twice as much? “, He asked, referring to the German and Spanish subsidiaries of Airbus. “How can you ensure project management if I do not have the right to choose subcontractors in France, Spain and Germany?” […] I think this is not the right method to fly an airplane, ”he insisted.
“We are not in the ‘Eurofighter’ method. We are either in the burst method, that is to say that we do alone and when I say alone, there are 500 companies around us, there is Thales and Safran. Either we are in the method [du drone de combat] Neuron, to make a demonstrator at six countries but with well identified tasks and leadership, ”said Trappier.
“Complexity is not an engine to make performance,” he said.
As for whether Dassault Aviation could disengage from the SCAF, Mr. Trappier replied that the question did not arise in these terms. “It is not a problem to leave, it is a problem to know if the project continues or not,” he said. “If the States decide that no one has any responsibility and that it is co -management, there is no problem. It can last twenty years, we can spend billions, we will be very happy. But if I am given objectives, I want to be able to keep them, “he concluded.
