Fight against terrorism remains number one Defence priority

10 November 2017

In 2018, the focus of the Ministry of Defence will be on core military tasks. Other tasks will be put on the back burner as far as possible. The goal is to make our military personnel deployable more quickly and effectively. The army is also proving itself to be a reliable partner within NATO, the European Union and the United Nations. “The fight against terrorism and radicalisation remains the number one priority for the Ministry of Defence,” says Minister Steven Vandeput. “Both within the borders of our country and beyond.”

Fighting terrorism and radicalisation

In the fight against IS, the army will carry out air operations in the Middle East in concert with the Netherlands next year. An important role is also being reserved for training and advising Iraqi troops, for which a total of 95 military personnel have been set aside. In addition, the army is also partnering for solid security in Mali and its neighbouring countries. In North Africa, the Ministry of Defence is offering assistance in the field of anti-terrorism techniques among others. The security and intelligence mission in Afghanistan is also being continued.

Reliable European partner

Our military personnel play an important role in the NATO countries in the East, in order to secure the external borders of the Alliance. In 2018 they will be reinforcing the Baltic Air Policing mission from a base in Lithuania, but they will also be clearing mines and other explosives in the Baltic Sea, just as they’ve been doing in the North Sea. In the Mediterranean Sea, a frigate is being deployed to combat human traffickers and arms smugglers and to assist in the fight against terrorism. Belgian military forces will also be training the Libyan coastguard.

At the ready for NATO and UN missions

In 2018, the army will be more capable than ever of deploying military personnel on short notice (5 to 7 days) in order to comply with and reinforce our international commitments. Six F16 fighter aircraft and 200 military personnel will be at the ready all year long. In the first half of 2018, a minehunter will be taking part in maritime exercises, while in the autumn, a frigate will participate.

In the second half of the year, Belgium will be assuming command of the European Union Battle Group. Some 800 military personnel are being deployed as part of this effort. Fighter aircraft and logistics support vessels will be on stand-by all year long for the United Nations. “Support for all citizens abroad naturally also remains a priority for the Ministry of Defence,” Minister Vandeput concludes.

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