Main information
- Belgium approved the ammunition preparation plan for 2025, amounting to 2.3 billion euros. This plan responds to past concerns concerning the insufficient supplies of ammunition within its defense forces.
- The plan gives priority to the rapid acquisition of types of critical ammunition, in particular for new weapons systems already ordered or delivered. The long delivery times of these ammunition require immediate action.
- This initiative aims to build a modern military force equipped with stocks of sufficient ammunition for effective operations.
The Belgian federal government has approved the 2025 ammunition preparation plan. This is what the Minister of Defense reports, Theo Francken (N-VA). This multi -year initiative aims to solve the long -standing problem of ammunition shortages in the country’s armed forces.
Francken underlined that the plan is intended to respond to past concerns concerning the insufficiency of ammunition stocks that hinder military operations. According to him, this plan ensures that Belgian soldiers will have sufficient resources for combat and training exercises. The previous scenarios where the lack of ammunition forced them to improvise will be eliminated.
Strategic objectives
The plan takes into account the evolution of the geopolitical landscape, especially due to the war in Ukraine. The objective is to strengthen Belgium’s defense capacities. In addition, the plan aims to guarantee that Belgium is ready to assume its fundamental responsibilities, including national defense and contributions to collective security.
The ammunition preparation plan goes beyond the simple reconstruction of existing stocks; It focuses on building a resilient and adaptable supply chain. Minister Francken underlined the need to establish strategic partnerships with ammunition producers. These should make it possible to maintain the operational production lines, in particular due to the high consumption in the context of the current conflict in Ukraine.
Implementation and investments
This plan is aligned with the wider NATO strategies, allowing Belgium to fulfill its obligations under article 5. The initiative includes a wide range of types of ammunition and weapons systems in all branches of the Belgian armed forces.
Specific investments include 155 mm artillery ammunition for artillery units, mortar shells, anti -tank missiles and air defense missiles essential to the efficiency and protection of land forces. For the navy, the plan provides for the acquisition of various missiles capable of countering air, land, maritime and submarines threats.
New priorities for the air force
The Belgian Air Force will benefit from the acquisition of guided missiles both for air defense and for precision strikes. In particular, this plan marks the first investment of Belgium in cruise missiles through the Strike Missile joint (JSM). The air force will thus have removal capacities and considerably improve its operational autonomy and the credibility of its deterrence.
With an initial investment of 2.3 billion euros allocated in 2023, the plan gives priority to the rapid acquisition of types of critical ammunition, in particular for new weapons systems already ordered or delivered. The long time to supply these ammunition requires immediate action.
A break with the past
This initiative represents a fundamental change after decades of underwater defense. Minister Francken stressed that this investment is in accordance with the government’s commitment to ensure the “preparation” of its armed forces. This will be done by providing sufficient resources and increasing operational performance. The plan aims to build a modern armed force equipped not only with motivated staff and advanced technologies, but also stocks of sufficient ammunition for effective operations.
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