Belgium Approves Expanded Defense Procurement, Including F-35 Jets and New Frigate

On Friday, July 18, the Belgian government approved a new strategic defense spending plan, allocating $40.74 billion (EUR34.8 billion) in commitments covering 2026-2034, with $28.9 billion (EUR24.7 billion) to be spent in that period. Commitments include the expansion of military personnel by a third, the acquisition of 11 F-35 Lightning II fighter jets and a new anti-submarine warfare (ASW) frigate, as well as new investment into air defenses. The 11 new jets will augment Belgium’s existing order for 34, while the plan also allocates funds for a new MQ-9B SkyGuardian drone in 2027. Belgium’s ASW frigate will add to its current order of two, made jointly with the Netherlands, which will receive four. Deliveries of the warships are expected to begin in the second half of 2029. The plan also provided funds for equipment to outfit future motorized divisions. This spending commitment comes as Belgium attempts to reach NATO’s agreed-upon 2 percent of GDP defense spending goal. In 2024, the NATO capital only allocated around 1.3 percent of GDP, the second lowest in the alliance, behind Spain.