The additional expenditure on defence is necessary in order for Belgium to meet the defence expenditure norm set by NATO of 2% GDP. Despite an agreement having been reached on the 2% norm, there is still no agreement on the purchase of F-35 fighter jets.

The news that an agreement had been reached on the so-called “strategic vision” was made in a post by Mr Francken on the social media platform X.  The “strategic vision” outlines how exactly the extra expenditure on defence will be used.

The extra expenditure is needed to enable Belgium to reach NATO’s existing defence expenditure norm for member states of 2% GDP. The Belgian Government has yet to decided how and when Belgium should meet the new 5% norm that will be discussed at the NATO summit in The Hague.

The agreement reached on Tuesday afternoon concerns the purchase of tanks for the army and the acquisition by Belgium of its own air defence system.

The Federal Health Minister (Flemish socialist) also confirms that an agreement has been reached but says that no final decision has been taken about the purchase of F-35s. The purchase of the fighter jets is one of the most crucial, but also controversial facets of the strategic plan.