Belgium wants to become a participant in the development program of the sixth-generation fighter Future Combat Air System (FCAS). Back in April this year, the country joined as an observer.
According to the new Strategic Vision 2025 development plan, adopted Friday, the Belgian government has already allocated €300 million to join the partnership and participate in the 2026-2030 phase of the project development. Overall, all participants will need to spend €5 billion at this stage, Defense Express reports.
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It is also estimated that from 2030 to the 2040s, the project will require another €40-50 billion from all partners. Belgium plans to allocate these funds around 2030 when the time comes.
Although developing the sixth-generation fighter is indeed an important strategic investment for the future, FCAS remains one of the more uncertain projects. The initiative involving Spain, Germany, and France is stuck in internal disputes over each participant's share.
For example, French company Dassault, after statements about possibly developing a fighter independently, wants up to 80% of the development work. In response, Airbus threatens to end cooperation, creating a sense of doom for FCAS.
It is hard to say if Belgium can help break the deadlock. While adding another participant could reduce the financial burden on others, they will also need to allocate part of the work to Belgium, which is already a contentious issue.
Belgium's industry is already involved in producing components for fifth-generation F-35 fighters. The country is also awaiting delivery of 35 ordered F-35s and plans to order 11 more.
However, FCAS likely remains the most realistic option for Belgium to join as a partner. The competing project by the UK, Italy, and Japan has already formed a joint company, Edgewing, making it unlikely they will give up their place.
Update: as this post was being prepared for publishing, Belgian Defense Minister Theo Francken stated that "the government will evaluate its position on the FCAS project" following criticism from Éric Trappier, CEO of Dassault Aviation, representing France.
Trappier said July 23 that Belgium's decision to buy extra F-35s from the United States and operate both fighter systems makes it unwelcome in the FCAS program and is a "mockery" of the European defense industry.
The Belgian side hasn't provided any additional details regarding further steps in that regard as of yet.
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