The Audi factory in the Brussels commune of Forest has stopped producing cars and with no new owners, alternative uses for the site are being considered. One idea is to turn it into a military equipment factory – a proposal that has raised major concerns.
Forest mayor Charles Spapens (PS) has warned that an arms factory would put locals at risk of attack. However, one military expert is assuaging these concerns.
The Audi plant closed at the end of February after 75 years of car manufacturing. This leaves the large factory, which occupies 54 hectares in a strategic location, available. Ideas for its redevelopment are now being discussed, taken up most enthusiastically by Minister of Defense Theo Francken (N-VA), who has proposed using the site for defence companies.
Francken will soon visit the site with several such companies to explore the possibilities. Mayor Spapens was quick to call the idea "unrealistic", adding that this transformation would pose significant risks to Brussels. "It will be the first to be bombed," he warned.
However, military expert Roger Housen was more receptive to the idea and played down the threat of an attack, telling Bruzz that if the site is targeted it would most likely be by hackers "posing no risk to locals". He acknowledged the risk of foreign interference, notably by Russian intelligence services that might try to disrupt the production chain. But he said the security risk for Forest and, by extension, Brussels, is negligible.
The site will most likely be converted to produce armoured vehicles or drones, Housen explained. He said there are no plans to produce explosives, such as weapons or ammunition, again minimising the chance of an attack. "The mayor does not have to worry about the safety of the citizens," Housen affirmed.
Economically beneficial
Rather than being a military target, Housen highlighted the advantages of opening an arms factory in Forest, saying it would only need a small conversion to produce military equipment.
"The processes remain the same and production remains equally safe." Former Audi personnel could be brought in because the production processes are so similar.
He also pointed out the economic advantages, that the automotive sector is in decline. And given the geopolitical situation, greater investment in the defence sector is critical.
"Investing is a smart move. At the European level we benefit from becoming more strategically autonomous. This factory could be a logical step in that direction, with no associated risks."
