European Defence Agency (EDA) Chief Executive André Denk held talks with Belgium's Minister of Defence Theo Francken on 25 March, aiming to reinforce EU collaboration and support Belgium’s military revamp as part of Europe’s defence readiness.
In Brussels, Denk also met other senior Belgian officials, including General Frederik Vansina, Chief of Defence, and Lieutenant-General Bernard Phaleg, National Armaments Director and Director General for Material Resources. The meetings focused on Belgium’s defence priorities, operational needs, and EU-level cooperation frameworks.
Chief Executive Denk outlined EDA’s core tasks, including capability development and joint procurement to assist Member States in their re-armament efforts. He highlighted some of EDA’s recent success stories, from low-earth satellite projects, where Belgium is set to play a role. Denk also briefed on the Agency’s strengthening processes, following the tasking by EU leaders in 2025.
“EDA is ready to support Belgium’s ongoing modernisation and capability development, and to build on existing EU cooperation mechanisms,” Denk said. “Belgium shows that strong cooperation, supported by national investment and EU funding instruments, is crucial for maintaining sovereignty and readiness in an increasingly challenging security environment,” Denk added.
It has shown its commitment to the industrial ramp-up, organising the first ever Brussels European Defence Exhibition (BEDEX) in March, and a second edition is set for April 2027. Belgium has embarked on a major programme of capability modernisation, emphasising combat readiness, territorial defence, and the adoption of cutting-edge technologies.
Belgium actively supports the EU’s broader defence objectives, including the Joint White Paper for European Defence Readiness 2030, and considers EU funding instruments central to restoring national defence readiness.
Belgium participates in 13 Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) projects, coordinating the Maritime (semi) Autonomous Systems for Mine Countermeasures (MAS-MCM) project. EDA is part of PESCO’s secretariat.
Belgium is involved in 22 EDA capability projects and 19 Research & Technology initiatives. These efforts focus on strategic enablers, maritime capabilities, cyber, and defence innovation involving SMEs and mid-caps.
8966c43fa4d264cfa776ff000087ef0f.jpg "20260061 CHOD-EDA_Jérusalem Destercke-Hock (2)")
Chief Executive André Denk with Belgium's Chief of Defence General Frederik Vansina