'Architect' of ambitious European defence project eager to rebuff Belgium as a partner: 'They make us look ridiculous'

Last Friday, the Belgian government OKed a plan to become a full partner of the Future Combat Air System (FCAS), one of the most ambitious and largest European defence projects of the coming decades. It includes the development of a new 6th-generation fighter aircraft, as well as a complete framework to change fundamentally the way air operations are conducted.

The decision is part of the Belgian defence ministry's new strategic vision. Although the first step in the FCAS partnership was taken by former defence minister Ludivine Dedonder in 2023, the Belgian contribution of some 300 million euros to that project is intended to solidify that partnership. By 2030, Belgium should be a full member.

Disagreement over F-35s

But in the same document in which Belgium pledges hundreds of millions of euros to the FCAS, Belgium also announces the purchase of 11 additional F-35A fighter jets, on top of the previous order for 34 of the US aircraft. The planes will form the backbone of our defence in the coming decades, the government says.

That decision has upset Eric Trappier, the CEO of Dassault Aviation (the company perhaps best known for producing Rafale fighter jets) and one of the key players in the French part of the FCAS. He doesn’t understand how Belgium can on the one hand want to help an ambitious European defence project, but then buys US fighter jets.

At a recent meeting of his company, he publicly expressed his displeasure. "If Belgium abandons the idea of buying F-35s, they would be welcome," M Trappier said. "If they don't, then they are really making fun of us." M Trappier believes that buying defence equipment locally is a very important condition for participating in the weapons programme.

M Trappier also criticises the way the FCAS is currently being run. He says the FCAS programme is already extremely complex with the current core partners (France, Germany, Spain). Adding additional partners would further complicate and delay the negotiations and progress of the project. If that does not change soon, M Trappier says he wants to "move on alone".

This is not the first time M Trappier has spoken out against Belgium's membership of the FCAS. ‘I don't see why today I would give work to the Belgians,’ he said in a hearing before the French Senate in May 2023. He added that if it were ‘imposed on him,’ he would fight it.

Smoothing ruffled feathers

In the end, France, led by President Emmanuel Macron, agreed to Belgium's observer status and full participation at a later stage. It’s assumed clear agreements have been made behind the scenes, as Eric Trappier is a very important and influential voice in the European defence debate. As CEO of Dassault Aviation, one of Europe's leading fighter aircraft manufacturers, he has a direct say on the development and production of future air force systems.

It’s understood Belgium's role will mainly focus on interoperability and cooperation with unmanned aerial vehicles (read: drones) that can work together with the new, 6th-generation fighter aircraft.

Drones can perform various tasks such as reconnaissance, electronic warfare, carry armaments and even serve as “loyal wingman” to support and protect a manned fighter jet. In future these drones will also have to be able to operate along with (Belgian) F-35s.