Belgian parliament committee approves plan to arm military drones
Belgium’s Defence Committee has approved a resolution to arm the military’s drone fleet. The decision marks a significant shift in policy after years of debate.
On Wednesday, the Defence Committee of the Belgian Federal Parliament approved a resolution to equip the country’s military drones with weapons. The proposal received broad support, with only the Walloon socialists and Groen (Greens) abstaining, while the far-left PVDA opposed the measure.
The decision follows years of political debate, during which the outgoing government coalition previously blocked attempts to arm the drones, citing ethical concerns. However, with shifting political alliances and growing security challenges, support for the proposal has now gained momentum.
A key amendment, introduced by socialist Vooruit, ensures that armed drones will always remain under human control, addressing concerns about autonomous decision-making in military operations.
Safety
The Belgian military acquired four MQ-9B SkyGuardian drones from the United States in 2019, with delivery expected this year. These drones are capable of being armed, and a 2022 expert report commissioned by outgoing Defence minister Ludivine Dedonder recommended their weaponisation to enhance operational effectiveness.
Despite concerns from left-wing parties about the ethical implications and the potential for lowering the threshold for military action, proponents argue that armed drones could improve the safety of deployed Belgian troops and enhance the country’s defence capabilities in line with NATO commitments.
The final decision on arming the drones will rest with the next federal government. The negotiating parties will likely include the topic in their talks. Future investments in additional drones are also under consideration as Belgium seeks to strengthen its military capacity.
A military drone is presented at Melsbroek military airport © BELGA PHOTO LAURIE DIEFFEMBACQ