The Belgian Defense Minister’s announcement seems to come like a dog in a game of bowling. On November 21, during a meeting of the BSDI (Belgian Security and Defense Industry), Ludivine Dedonder made announcements about the Scaf (air combat system of the future) program led by France, Germany and Spain with industrialists Dassault Aviation, Airbus D&S and Indra. .
After announcing the official signing of her observer status before the end of the year, the minister revealed her intention to become a full member of the program in 2025, the year in which phase 1B of studies will end. Phase 2 of the program should result in the creation of a demonstrator of the Next Generation Fighter (NGF), the sixth-generation aircraft at the heart of the Scaf.
Economic benefits and job creation
At the moment, no one wants to comment on the Belgian file, but everyone is closely following the Belgian approach. In addition, representatives of the French, German and Spanish Ministries of Defense were present during the meeting on November 21, as can be seen in the photographs published on the LinkedIn network.
Did Ludivine Dedonder skip diplomatic steps by prematurely revealing Belgium’s entry into the program? Brussels has never hidden its ambition to obtain more than just the role of observer. Do you want to guarantee Belgian aircraft manufacturers that they will obtain economic benefits thanks to job creation? This is what the Belgian Defense Industrial and Technological Base (BITD) expects, as François Lepot, CEO of Safran Aero Boosters, made known on LinkedIn in response to Ludivine Dedonder’s message.
The minister clarified her November 29 announcement in the Federal Parliament. At the meeting on November 21, she explains that the goal was “to inform companies already participating (in the Scaf program) of the capabilities of the Belgian BITD.”
Create a European defense
Regarding the timing and amount of Belgium’s industrial participation, the Defense Minister promises to provide details “based on the relevant projects that our industry, in consultation with associated industries, may propose.” There is still nothing final about the participation of Belgian companies, which now have three years to submit proposals.
In its military programming law 2025-2029, Belgium foresees a budget of 360 million euros for the Scaf. For comparison, the three partner countries will equally finance €3 billion over 36 months for phase 1B. With phase 2, the total amount is expected to rise to almost 9 billion euros. Thus, Belgium will not be at the level of France, Germany and Spain, but will participate to the extent that its industrialists contribute.
Will you buy NGF when they come online? This is unlikely, since Brussels has already signed the purchase of 34 American F-35s, whose deliveries will begin in December and will extend over several years. Other European countries, such as Germany, have chosen American fighters.
This situation could encourage the Americans to open the F-35 bubble to make it interoperable with new generation European aircraft within the framework of NATO. And, therefore, attract other countries to join the program, thus reducing the global bill and finally creating a truly European defense.
Source: BFM TV
