Flemish government approves defence plan, with ‘civilian resilience programme’
The Flemish government has on Friday evening after a marathon meeting approved a Flemish defence plan. At the core is the creation of a Flemish Defence Fund to pool up to one billion euros in capital. A civilian resilience programme was announced as well.
Flanders will not invest in military equipment such as tanks or aircraft - that is a federal competence - but will invest in supporting and developing the defence industry.
The Flemish plan consists of ten action points. Crucially, a Flemish Defence Fund will “pool up to one billion euros of strategic capital for companies with defence or dual-use technology”, explained Flemish minister-president Matthias Diependaele. Flanders is also launching an Impulse Programme starting with 5 million euros and rising to 50 million euros in 2029. This spring, there will be a specific project call for research and development projects in the defence sector, for which 10 million euros is made available.
“We remove an obstacle to Flemish defence research”
The government is cancelling the old directive that government support for research and development of defence companies is only allowed if the technologies have a civilian application in addition to a military one. This abolition “removes an obstacle to Flemish defence research”, said Diependaele.
The government partners also agreed to modernise the Flemish arms trade decree “so that Flemish companies can export more quickly and easily, while respecting security and international agreements”. Strategic infrastructure projects will benefit from a relaxed licensing policy and infrastructure such as roads and rail links will be prepared for military transport.
Resilience of citizens
The government is also planning a "Flemish civilian resilience programme" which, according to Flemish interior minister Hilde Crevits, should help "increase the resilience of citizens in Flemish cities and municipalities".
"Volunteers can contribute to logistical, operational or medical tasks during a local emergency"
Local governments will be asked to set up municipal volunteer corps. These corps could then be called in quickly when there is a need for assistance. “In this way, volunteers can contribute to logistical, operational or medical tasks during a local emergency,” explained Crevits.
Centre for Digital Security
On 1 May, the Flemish Centre for Digital Security will also be launched. This should become the central point of contact for cybersecurity in the Flemish and local governments.
“The recent cyberattacks on government websites by Russian hackers underline the urgent need to strengthen our digital infrastructure,” stressed minister-president Diependaele.
#FlandersNewsService | The Peutie Quartier Major Housiau © BELGA PHOTO BELPRESS
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