NEWS December 2023

Introductory remark. The Ukrainian war is bringing in new information every day. No
doubt you're catching up on it. For this reason, the news posted in this file will not refer to it,
unless the information is of specific importance for the DS902 course.

The Netherlands on course to reach 2% of GDP. In 2024, Dutch defence

expenditures should reach 1.95% of GDP. In Belgium, Minister Ludivine Dedonder
announced 1.24% for 2024.
The Turkish Parliamentary Committee approves Sweden's accession to
NATO. The definitive Turkish political accord is due to be signed in January 2024.
Latvia sends cars confiscated from its drunk drivers to Ukraine. As of mid-
December, Latvia has sent 271 cars to Ukraine that were confiscated from drunk drivers and
is preparing to send 34 more. Ukraine's military is in constant need of vehicles along the front
lines as they are necessary to quickly and effectively perform logistical and operational tasks.
The Belgian Presidency is a "unique opportunity" to promote European
defence. MoD Ludivine Dedonder wants to "give impetus in the field of security and
defence". Belgium takes over the rotating presidency of the EU on 1 January and intends to
take advantage of the opportunity to strengthen the " Defence Europe" through several
events focusing on cybersecurity, interoperability and troop mobility within the EU, and
strengthening the military industry.
There will be some 1,000 Belgian troops on operations in 2024. Eastern
Europe remains a priority for Forward Land Forces, and two detachments will be deployed
(Romania and Lithuania). The F-16 detachment, deployed in Lithuania in December, will
continue its mission until March 2024. The frigate Louise-Marie will join Operation Agenor
in the Strait of Hormuz in April and May 2024. The Navy will deploy the Crocus and the
Lobelia as part of Standing NATO Mine Counter-Measures Group One (SNMCMG1). La
Défense belge poursuivra sa participation à la mission EUMAM Ukraine.
In Belgium, Operation Spring Guardian to monitor the Doel nuclear power plant will
continue in 2024.
In 2024, Belgium will spend 1.24% of its GDP on defence. Ludivine Dedonder,
Belgium's MoD, has indicated that an additional envelope of 611 million € has also been
released.
Germany orders artillery shells for Ukraine for over $400 million. The orders,
in separate deals with Rheinmetall and an unidentified French company (probably Nexter),
concern 155mm shells. According to a recent report, Ukraine is firing up to 7,000 artillery
rounds per day, but the European defence industry is unable to keep up requisite production
rates. Delivery of the German order is scheduled for 2025. In the light of events, the
weariness of the Europeans, the reluctance of the Republicans in the US Congress and the
dreaded outcome of the presidential elections, I hope that this delivery will still have a reason
to exist... The delivery is scheduled for 2025…
Viktor Orbán has blocked additional financial aid to Ukraine. At the same time,
he is demanding that Hungary should be able to recover the full amount of the funds blocked
by the EU; this is undoubtedly a case of give and take.
The European Council has given the green light to the opening of accession
negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova. This decision was reached thanks to the
constructive abstention of Viktor Orbán. The Hungarian president left the room at the time of
the vote …
Bulgarian Parliament overrides presidential veto. President Rumen Radev's veto
against sending 100 BTR-80 armoured vehicles to Ukraine has been overridden by the
Bulgarian Parliament, which has also approved the donation of surplus Russian-made
surface-to-air missiles.
Belgian industry secures promising deals as part of the F-35 contract. To
mark the factory delivery of its first F-35, the Belgian aerospace industry has signed
partnership agreements with Lockheed Martin and Pratt & Whitney, worth around €1.5
billion.
The first stage has been completed for the future Franco-Belgian armoured
vehicle. OCCAR (Organisation conjointe de Coopération en matière d'Armement -
Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation) has signed a contract with the French
consortium Arquus and Nexter for the pre-design of the VBAE (Véhicule blindé d'Aide à
l'Engagement - Armoured Engagement Support Vehicle), which will eventually equip the
land units of the Belgian, French and probably Luxembourg armies.
Thales will produce rockets in cooperation with the Belgian Defence. The aim
of the partnership with the French group is to increase production of 70 mm calibre rockets at
the Soumagne site and to share its expertise in these munitions.
Acquisition of 19 Caesar systems. Defence is to acquire 19 additional Caesars to the 9
already ordered to equip an artillery battalion. It has chosen the NG (New Generation)
version, which is still under development. The Belgian army will also be acquiring 24 Griffon
platforms equipped with an integrated mortar system.
The world's leading arms suppliers saw their earnings fall in 2022. Despite the
significant increase in demand, amplified in particular by the war in Ukraine, supply chain
problems and labour shortages are at the origin of this shortage.
The President of the European Commission stated on 30 November that the
EU should move towards a fully-fledged EDU. Ursula von der Leyen’s wish for a
possible future European Defence Union is not a first, but it still seems like a very long
shot…
The European Commission has announced that it is preparing a new
"European defence industrial strategy" for the beginning of 2024.
EDA has finally published its statistics for 2022. Defence spending by the 27
Member States stands at 240 billion euros, continuing the trend of eight consecutive years of
growth. This represents 1.5% of GDP. In chained euros, defence spending has increased by
more than 6% compared with 2021. A serious concern is however the 200 million euros
reduction in defence R&T compared with 2022.
Military conscription in Belgium. A new proposal to reintroduce military conscription
has just been made to parliament. Your professor has again been interviewed in various
media on this subject.