Theo Francken quickly comes with a plan for extra defense investments

Francken reacted from India, where he is currently participating in a Belgian economic mission, to the European REACHING PROGRAM 'Rearm Europe'. European commissioner Ursula von der Leyen suggested that plan earlier in the day. In the coming years, the EU could mobilize up to 800 billion euros for defense, to be able to continue to support Ukraine now that American military aid has been suspended and to guarantee its own European security. The Member States may also keep the investments out of the budget.

The latter is a good thing, says Francken. He previously shown that our country against the NATO summit of June should be able to spend 2 percent of gross domestic product on Defense, and not only by 2029, as it is in the coalition agreement. That still needs to be approved by the government, the minister emphasized, although he feels the support of the other government parties. Another attitude « would be totally irresponsible, » says Francken. The proposal would be ahead of the Council of Ministers next week.

Then the question remains whether Defense can spend the extra resources – no less than 4 billion euros – so quickly in a wise way. Francken has already discussed this with the General Staff, he said, and he guarantees that it is possible, it sounded. The N-VA minister is mainly thinking of massive ammunition purchases, but also of additional support for Ukraine and purchases « in the air and all other components ». « I will come to the government with a plan as soon as possible. »