It is in this context that NATO (the organization of the North Atlantic Treaty) decided at the end of June to drastically strengthen its defense capacities by carrying its standard in terms of military spending of 2 to 3.5 % of the GDP of each Member State, plus 1.5 % devoted to resilience (i.e. a global standard of 5 % of GDP).
As in the 60s and 70s
If General Vansina recognizes a certain opacity in the way in which this percentage of 3.5 % was determined within the Atlantic Alliance, he nuances the scope. “”This is more or less what European countries spent on their defense before the fall of the Berlin Wall (in 1989). Even in Belgium, we were more than 3 %. Europe was more able to defend itself, without the Americans, than it is today. And at that time, in the 1960s and 70s, people lived well in Belgium. They had a job, leisure. It was not hell. It is not impossible to find these levels “ Without destroying our social state, he thinks.
However, it will not be for now. Wever’s government has noted that Belgium’s defense effort would drop from 1.3 % of GDP in 2024 to 2 % this year, then 2.5 % in 2034. This increase should make it possible to invest 34 billion euros in the army by 2034 (around 7 billion investments were already scheduled), according to the Minister of Defense, Theo Francken (N-VA).
Minister Francken announces 34 billion military investments, not confirmed by his Arizona partners
After “35 years of divestment “said the big boss of the army, this military investment plan – also called strategic vision – is “A good plan “. He takes into account several elements, starting war lessons in Ukraine.
The objectives set by NATO
“I was in kyiv, a few months ago. The Ukrainian staff gave me the three major war lessons, Raconte Frederik Vansina. First, ‘dronification’ and war automation. The front line has become so dangerous for the human being that is increasingly witnessing a drone war. Second lesson: the Ukrainians did not pay sufficient attention to air superiority. A war is won or lost in the third dimension (the tunes). Neither the Ukrainians nor the Russians are masters of heaven (Due to the effectiveness of air defenses, editor’s note). As a result, we find ourselves in the trenches in an attrition war. Finally, third lesson: the importance of industry. As the saying wants, it is the armies that win the battles, but it is industry that wins war. The mass counts. “
“These three lessons, they were incorporated into our strategic vision. Hence the importance given to air defense with additional soil-to-air and F-35 missiles. Hence the importance given to drones of all kinds. Hence the importance given-already under the previous government-to the interaction between defense and industry.”
Will everything be resolved thanks to this plan? No. We come from so far that it will take some legislatures to repair the defense.
And then, NATO has entrusted Belgium with capacity objectives to be achieved in the coming years: “a motorized median brigade; ammunition stocks; more F-35; air defense; and the role of Belgium as a transit nation [des forces armées alliées]”. NATO asked for 21 additional F-35 combat aircraft in Belgium. It should only acquire 11 (in addition to the 34 already ordered). She demanded ammunition stocks to last thirty days (Days of Supply), it will be fifteen, said the defense chief at Free. More “Strategic vision is consistent with these capacity objectives “he believes.
Belgium not opposed to the 5% objective for defense but needs time
“Will everything be resolved thanks to this plan? No. We come from so far that it will take some legislatures to repair the defense-it began under the Michel government-and happen to a correct level to defend the country and assume our role in the deterrent of NATO and Europehe concludes. There is still work. “