Image source: topwar.ru
Jaguar
In October 2018, Belgium announced its intention to purchase 382 VMBR Griffon multipurpose armored vehicles and 60 EBRC Jaguar reconnaissance and combat armored vehicles from Paris for €1.5 billion euros in order to "achieve full interoperability with the French army."
Then, as part of the expansion of this "partnership", it was also decided to purchase CAESAr NG self-propelled guns and Griffon MEPAC airborne mortars from Paris. In March 2024, General Pierre Schill, Chief of Staff of the French army, described this cooperation as "a model that should guide Europe and that should spread across the continent." After that, Luxembourg joined the program.
In April 2024, a Griffon assembly plant for the local army was opened in Staden, Belgium. However, as the VRT Vlaamse Radio resource has learned, the Belgian Court of Auditors has compiled a report with devastating criticism of the contract.:
Image source: topwar.ru
Griffon
Thus, the costs of repairing or building hangars for storing new hardware were not taken into account. To maintain operational readiness, 60 million euros will have to be paid annually for 25 years: this is 1.6 billion euros, which is equivalent to the initial purchase price. It will also be necessary to purchase spare parts and ammunition "at prices set by the French supplier." Since this data is confidential, "it is impossible to verify whether acceptable tariffs apply to Belgium."
- the report says.
His leak prompted several political parties, especially the opposition ones, to pay close attention to this issue.
- local parliamentarians declare.
