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John Cockerill Plans to Produce Light Armored Vehicles in Belgium to Align with Europe's Rearmament Strategy.
As Europe moves forward with a large-scale €800 billion rearmament plan, the Belgian group John Cockerill is reaffirming its ambition to restart the production of armored vehicles on Belgian soil. Its CEO, François Michel, has confirmed the company’s interest in large-scale production, drawing on decades of expertise in manufacturing turrets for NATO light tanks. The stated objective is to reestablish domestic production in Belgium, an industrial challenge the country has not undertaken for more than a generation.
This initiative to relocate part of the armored vehicle production to Belgium is part of a broader European effort to strengthen its defense industry in response to an increasingly uncertain geopolitical landscape. (Picture source: John Cockerill Defense)
Among the potential sites for setting up an armored vehicle assembly line, the former Audi plant in Forest is being seriously considered. This site, currently seeking a new operator, could be repurposed to accommodate high-volume production, which François Michel sees as essential for Belgium to play a significant role in Europe's defense industry. However, no final decision has been made, and other industrial sites in Belgium are also under review. The CEO of John Cockerill highlights the possibility of repurposing existing facilities with experience in high-volume military vehicle production, a consideration that extends beyond Belgium, as other European countries explore similar initiatives.
John Cockerill Defense (JCD) is a key player in land-based weapon systems, specializing in the design and manufacturing of turrets for armored vehicles. The company offers a range of modular solutions suited to light and medium armored vehicles, incorporating weapons of various calibers from 25mm to 105mm. One of its flagship products is the Cockerill 3000 series, a family of modular turrets that can be equipped with different weapon configurations to meet the specific requirements of armed forces. The Cockerill 3105 turret, fitted with a 105mm high-pressure cannon, provides armored vehicles with firepower comparable to that of battle tanks while maintaining greater mobility.
Beyond turrets, JCD develops and integrates light armored vehicles designed to operate in various tactical environments. A notable example is the Cockerill i-X, a hybrid combat vehicle combining speed, stealth, and firepower, designed for reconnaissance and rapid intervention missions. This platform reflects JCD’s focus on mobility and combat effectiveness. The company also modernizes existing platforms by integrating advanced targeting, stabilization, and beyond-line-of-sight firing capabilities, enhancing the operational efficiency of equipped forces.
The former Caterpillar site in Gosselies, Charleroi, is also being considered. François Michel has been in discussions with Thomas Dermine, the mayor of Charleroi, and has expressed interest in this alternative. The involvement of Belgium’s Minister of Defense has been noted in these considerations. However, the Liège province, where John Cockerill is headquartered, presents challenges in terms of available industrial space. While sites such as the former Chertal steel mill or facilities in Seraing have been mentioned, their condition requires long-term rehabilitation work, which does not align with the urgency of the planned industrial expansion. The limited availability of industrial land in Liège further complicates the situation, with designated industrial zones already at 95% capacity.
This initiative to relocate part of the armored vehicle production to Belgium is part of a broader European effort to strengthen its defense industry in response to an increasingly uncertain geopolitical landscape. Since Russia invaded Ukraine, European countries have recognized their dependence on external arms supplies and are accelerating the development of domestic defense industries to meet the growing demands of their armed forces. Belgium, which has not manufactured armored vehicles for decades, sees this project as an opportunity to regain a role in the defense sector.
Additionally, this shift is driven by changes in U.S. defense policy toward Europe. With the prospect of a gradual reduction in American engagement on the continent, the European Union must enhance its strategic autonomy. Several initiatives have been launched to build a more robust defense industrial base, and John Cockerill’s project is aligned with this objective. If the Audi Brussels or Caterpillar site is selected, it would mark an important step in Belgium’s efforts to establish domestic production capacity and contribute to Europe's collective rearmament strategy.