The Flemish government is going to make extra investments in projects aimed at strengthening the defence of Flanders and is also focusing on cooperation with the EU and NATO, Flemish PM Matthias Diependaele (Flemish nationalist N-VA) announced. The Flemish government is releasing an extra 5 million euros for defence investments, but this figure is set to rise to 50 million euros a year by 2029.
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Flemish government makes extra investments in defence tech and relaxes controls on arms trade
Colin Clapson
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According to Diependaele, in these uncertain times of conflict and instability the Flemish defence industry needs to be strengthened. ‘Flanders has strong innovative companies and knowledge centres in the defence and security sector,’ he says. ‘In order to allow this world-class Flemish technology to grow from pilot projects into effective projects that are ready for our own defence or European and NATO cooperation projects, we are increasing our investments.’
‘We are now allocating 5 million euros. This will grow to 50 million euros per year by 2029. It will strengthen production in Flanders, exports from Flanders and the bigger picture of our European security.’
More flexible regulations
The Flemish Innovation and Industry Strategy for Security and Defence not only means more money, but also better guidance for companies in their search for potential partners. In this context, so-called ‘Defence in Flanders Days’ will also be organised.
To facilitate exports, regulations will also be relaxed. According to Diepedaele, the existing law dating from 2012 is considered too complex and inflexible. For Flemish companies it’s a brake on participation in international defence cooperation projects, says Diependaele. ‘Less regulatory pressure and more legal certainty for Flemish companies, within a level European playing field, that is what the new Arms Trade Law is all about,’ he says.