On Monday 13 October 2025, the first three F-35A Lightning II fighter jets landed at the Belgian Air Force base in Florennes. After a journey in two stages from the United States, these aircraft mark the beginning of a new phase for the Belgian Air Force. Within a few years, the country will have 45 … Read more
Prime Minister Dick Schoof indicated on Sunday that the Netherlands can contribute “more than just boots on the ground” as soon as a peace agreement in Ukraine comes into sight. This statement opens the door to possible deployment of Dutch military personnel in a peace mission. The question, however, is: can we deliver on this … Read more
Public support for defence remains limited Only 23 per cent of EU citizens want European funds to go towards military purposes. In a poll by Eurobarometer, defence capabilities and infrastructure come seventh out of ten possible investment priorities. These figures stand in stark contrast to the urgent calls from NATO and EU leaders for increased … Read more
Experiencing a civil war is one of the most disruptive events that can befall a person. Stories from survivors offer us valuable insights into how people hold their own when society completely collapses. By learning from their experiences, we can draw lessons from their experiences, testimonies and mistakes. The impact of civil wars on daily … Read more
The Belgian army announces that new soldiers can start work as EOD assistants (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) from 2026. These soldiers learn to identify, secure and neutralise explosives. On the Defence news site, Commander Dirk Gunst, who is responsible for the training, explains what the assistants will learn. “They are trained to support EOD operators in … Read more
The Belgian Minister of Defence Theo Francken wants a strong “ecosystem” around Defence. He is working on establishing a new ‘Defence fund’, which should help bring the military budget to 2 per cent of gross domestic product by 2029. 90 per cent of the Defence fund’s income will go towards strategic purchases. Francken wants additional … Read more
