Should Belgium prepare for war? When the question was put to the new Defence Minister Theo Francken on Tuesday morning live news, "Absolutely" was his immediate reply – as if the answer was self-evident. His interviewers seemed less sure.
The minister of the Flemish separatist party N-VA proceeded to point out recent Russian interventions that make stepping up defence capabilities an imperative: a rise in cyber attacks, interference with elections in Romania, cable sabotage in the Baltic... All causes of concern, though none for Belgium directly.
When pressed on Belgium's actual military might, Francken was forced to concede that "We are way behind" and urged greater spending on his department. The country spends 1.3% of GDP on defence, despite commitments made a decade ago to hit 2% by 2024. The NATO target now won't be reached until 2029, by which time it could well have been raised.
But while the minister reaffirmed support for Ukraine and insisted that the €3.8 billion spent on 34 F-35 fighter jets is an incontestibly good investment, Francken's assertiveness about Belgium's military future isn't altogether convincing. Whilst few would deny the need to beef up the country's defence capacity, the national appetite for this is minimal.
Francken's announcement that 120,000 young Belgians will be invited to carry out a voluntary military service was followed by mixed reactions. But in reality only around 500 will be selected for the 12-month programme, a far cry from conscription (which was suspended in 1995). Army sources told The Brussels Times that they currently lack the infrastructure, instructors and equipment to run the initiative. Meanwhile, some sceptical Boomers took the opportunity to cast aspersions about the fortitude of Gen Z.
Public opinion on militarising was further challenged when Francken proposed repurposing the now-closed Audi factory in Brussels to make armoured vehicles. Whilst some thought this a sensible solution to creating jobs and preserving one of the few remaining manufacturing plants in the capital, others poo-pood the idea, arguing the site would be better used to serve Brussels (apparently forgetting the 4,000 jobs it would provide).
Funding aside, the Defence Minister's greatest challenge will be persuading the public to renew their views on Belgium's modest military. He's got his work cut out.
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