Belgium could purchase Patriot missiles and new 155mm howitzers for its defense plan by 2030 11301162

Defence & Security News - Belgium
 
Belgium could purchase Patriot missiles and new 155mm howitzers for its defense plan by 2030.
The Belgian Defence Minister Steven Vandeput has unveiled the planning of defense budget from 2016 to 2030. In this budget plan, the primary task for the future Belgian army will be to help defend the interests of Belgium, but also to provide well-trained and well-led soldiers for domestic and international operations with a military force reduced from 32,000 to 25,000 military personnel by 2030.
     
The Belgian Defence Minister Steven Vandeput has unveiled the planning of defense budget from 2016 to 2030. In this budget plan, the primary task for the future Belgian army will be to help defend the interests of Belgium, but also to provide well-trained and well-led soldiers for domestic and international operations with a military force reduced from 32,000 to 25,000 military personnel by 2030. Belgian Minister of Defense Steven Vandeput visits Belgian troops in Koulikoro, Mali
     
The defense budget of €9.2 billion will include the purchase of 34 new fighter aircraft, two frigates, six minehunter ships, six drones, and new 155mm howitzers.

NATO countries’ defense spending continues to decline in real terms, according to figures released by the alliance ahead of a meeting of defense ministers in June 2015. The worst offenders were Belgium, Luxembourg, Hungary and Spain, none of which reached even 1 percent of GDP.

With these new purchases of military equipment, Belgium would like to increase its defense budget by 0,4% by 2030. Only Five NATO members have reached the alliance’s 2 percent target for defense spending in 2015.

In this plan, Belgium would like to increase the number of its Special Forces to make an effort in counterterrorism and unconventional warfare missions. Special Forces soldiers may also be deployed to foreign regions to take part in humanitarian efforts.
     
In future purchases of the Belgian army, it would be considered the acquisition of one battery of six Patriot missile launchers or equivalent system in order to enter Belgium in the very select club of NATO members equipped with that type of weapon.
     
In future purchases of the Belgian army, it would be considered the acquisition of one battery of six Patriot missile launchers or equivalent system in order to enter Belgium in the very select club of NATO members equipped with that type of weapon.

The MIM-104 Patriot is a surface-to-air defense missile (SAM) system manufactured by the U.S. defense company Raytheon. It can counter threats from tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, drones and advanced aircraft.

Currently, artillery units of Belgian land forces are only equipped with 105 LG1 towed guns and 120mm mortars. For the future, Belgium would like to purchase new artillery systems of 155mm caliber.