TSAMTO, January 19. The Belgian Government, as part of a long-term strategy for the development of the Armed Forces, has pledged to invest 9.2 billion in the purchase of new military equipment by 2030. euro ($10 billion) in order to increase military capabilities and ensure cybersecurity.
The statement about this was made back in December 2016. Among the main areas of procurement at that time was the supply of 34 combat aircraft; two frigates; six mine defense ships; six unmanned aircraft systems (two by 2021 and four by 2030); increasing the equipment of the Ground Forces with armored vehicles, improved communication systems, weapons and protective equipment.
As the newspaper La Libre Belgique reported on January 17, Ludivine Dedonder, recently appointed to the post of Minister of Defense, announced plans to increase these expenditures by 3 billion in the period up to 2030. euro.
Most of the additional investments will be directed to the purchase of new helicopters. As planned, 4 existing NH-90 TTN helicopters, as well as several A-109s, will be replaced by new transport helicopters (14 light class and 4 medium class units). It is noted that the fleet of new rotorcraft should ensure the transportation of a company of one hundred people with the necessary weapons.
NH-90 TTH helicopters were adopted by the Belgian Armed Forces only in 2013, but already in 2020, the command of the Belgian Armed Forces decided to withdraw them from combat due to the complexity of maintenance.
The Belgian Armed Forces also have 4 NH-90 helicopters in the marine version of the NFH. They are used for search and rescue operations at sea. According to the Minister's plans, 4 new helicopters will take over the rescue mission at sea, which will be purchased, and the NH-90 NFH will be used for its intended purpose and perform tasks from frigates.
According to L. Dedonder, among other additional programs is the purchase of another A-330 MRTT tanker vehicle, long-range air defense system batteries, short-range air defense system batteries, as well as additional UAVs and missile systems for the defense of frigates.
