Belgian defence minister Theo Francken (Flemish nationalist N-VA) has rejected criticism by Dassault Aviation’s CEO and Frenchman Eric Trappier of Belgium's purchase of 11 additional F-35 fighter-jets. According to M Trappier, if Belgium buys US aircraft, it has no place in the ambitious European defence project Future Combat Air System (FCAS). France's Dassault Aviation is the builder of the Rafale, the F-35's competitor that M Trappier would have been only too happy to sell to Belgium.
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Defence Minister Francken rejects Dassault Aviation CEO’s criticisms: “Belgium needs to learn no lessons from arrogant industrialists”
Colin Clapson
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Last Friday, the federal government OKed plans 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.
In the same document in which Belgium pledges 300 million to FCAS, the government also announces the purchase of 11 additional American F-35 fighter jets, on top of its previous order for 34. This has clearly incensed Eric Trappier, the CEO of French aircraft manufacturer Dassault Aviation, which produces the Rafale fighter-jet. “If Belgium abandons the idea of buying F-35s, they would be welcome,” he says. "If they don't, they will really make us look like fools."
M Trappier is considered to be an important figure in the European defence industry, but Belgian defence minister Theo Francken is not impressed. “The government will evaluate its position in the FCAS project,” he writes on X. “As a founding member of NATO and the EU, loyal ally and headquarters host, we have no lessons to learn from arrogant industrialists.”