The F-35 fighter jet should be the last major military equipment purchase from the US, according to Nawal Farih, leader of CD&V in the Belgian Parliament.
Portugal and Canada questioned their recent orders of F-35 jets, refusing to blindly follow current US policies.
“In Belgium, we haven’t even had a debate on this yet,” said Bogdan Vanden Berghe from Groen. “Blindly purchasing military equipment from the US brings no benefits and results in debt for generations.”
“The F-35s won’t protect us; they just funnel more money to the US,” echoed Jos D’Haese of PVDA.
However, the federal majority parties hold a different view. CD&V supports continuing purchases of fighter jets but insists this should be the last time. “This should be the last purchase of this kind from the US for CD&V,” said Nawal Farih. “We must invest in strategic autonomy and bolster our economy.”
N-VA opposes halting the orders. “This is absolutely not the last time,” said faction leader Axel Ronse. “Lockheed Martin, the producer, is American, but parts are made globally. The F-35 is what Putin fears most.”
The majority parties agree on significant investments in Belgian defence, targeting an investment level of 2.5% of GDP by 2029. For N-VA, it should be at least 2.5%, stated Ronse.
The funding details will be worked out in the coming weeks. “We will not touch social security,” Farih assured. “We are considering, among other things, frozen Russian assets at Euroclear and a defence bond, similar to a government bond.”
Vanden Berghe criticised simultaneous cuts in development cooperation as stipulated by the coalition agreement. “Cutting developing aid lays out the red carpet for Putin,” he warned.
