Is the Belgian army still a reliable partner?
(BRUSSELS2) One hundred years after the battle of the Yser, the Belgian army is only a shadow of itself. Successive budget cuts, the lack of strategic thinking, and choice, have got the better of what until now was an example. Admittedly small in size, the Belgians have been involved in most operations, EU, NATO, UN, responding almost always present, with limited means but often necessary and always useful. Demining in UNIFIL in Lebanon, strikes in Libya in 2011, medical elements (precious) to allow the start of EUTM Mali, etc. Today, this is no longer the case.
A partner who has ceased to be reliable
Belgium has ceased to have a "reliable" partner, on whom we could count, to whom we could turn in the event of a "hole". The new Minister of Defence, Steven Vandenput, has stopped sending soldiers who were to take over for the stabilization operation in Bangui, EUFOR RCA. Belgium will no longer participate in the operation to fight against pirates off the Indian Ocean (it's true that pirates have become rare lately). Its elements withdraw from Lebanon. Operation completed says the government. In addition, Belgians are almost no longer present in Africa, which has long been their favorite and familiar ground. " We risk losing our expertise an officer confided to me some time ago. The risk is about to be realised. Only the small pressure of the Americans to obtain a contribution of trainers in Kurdistan made the street (headquarters of the Ministry of Defense) come out of its wait-and-see attitude.
A budget of less than 1%
The reality is very financial. The defense budget is shrinking dramatically and at high speed. The level of financial commitments has already fallen below 1% of GDP. That is two times less than the figure indicated as a reference by NATO and recalled at the last summit in Wales. (Five years ago, it was still 1,2%, which was already not very much). For a country that hosts the NATO headquarters, this is low. And it doesn't seem to be getting any better. Since a reduction in the budget of 360 million euros (in commitment appropriations) is announced on the legislature. With a reduction of 200 million euros from 2015 and 40 million on average each year thereafter. In total, over the five years, Defense will have a cumulative shortfall of 1,5 billion euros. The objective is to increase the budget from 2,55 billion euros (2014) to 2,2 billion in 2019. That is 0,5% of GDP (excluding pensions). In other words, the threshold of uselessness. There is, in fact, a threshold where expenditure - unless it is extremely rationalized and concentrated - no longer serves any purpose. Might as well remove the defense or merge it with other forces.
The army in survival mode
The army " went into survival mode ” General Delcour (now retired) recently noted on a daily basis La Libre Belgique. " With 0,5% of GDP, it will be impossible to carry out major replacements of equipment that has become obsolete”. The few rare missions abroad considers the former Chief of Staff are only a pretext. " Our government is rushing to send in F16s and frigates to, in effect, hide our failings in other areas and apologize to NATO and the Americans for not spending enough on our military spending »
Underlying political motivations
It is also hardly surprising that it is an N-VA minister (Flemish autonomist) to whom this role falls. This choice is very political and is not based solely on budgetary motivations. By reducing the military budget excessively, it reduces what constitutes one of the elements of federal Belgium.
(NGV)
