Brussels — Belgium is re-evaluating its involvement in the European Future Combat Air System (FCAS) after a public rebuke from Dassault Aviation’s CEO, Eric Trappier, regarding the country’s military procurement decisions.
The Defence Ministry confirmed on Friday that the reassessment comes after Trappier criticized Belgium for seeking full partner status in FCAS while simultaneously purchasing 11 U.S.-made F-35A fighter jets. Belgium has also committed €300 million to the FCAS program.
Dassault Aviation, alongside Airbus, leads the development of FCAS—a high-cost, next-generation air combat system that will combine manned aircraft with autonomous drones. Trappier, announcing Dassault’s quarterly financials last week, didn’t hold back:
“If Belgium gives up the idea of buying F-35s, they’d be welcome [in FCAS]. If not, it’s really making a monkey out of us.”
He stressed that joining FCAS demands a real commitment to Europe’s defence industry, criticizing nations that seek economic and industrial benefits from European initiatives while purchasing non-European defence equipment:
“Countries want the jobs created by the program, but they buy from the United States. It’s all rather odd.”
Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken responded sharply on Facebook, saying:
“The government will evaluate its position in the FCAS project. As a founding member of NATO and the EU, and host to their headquarters, we won’t take lessons from arrogant industrialists.”
While Francken’s statement was described as “clear” by a Defence Ministry spokesperson, no further official comment was offered. Dassault has not yet responded to the remarks.
Belgium’s potential policy shift is unlikely to significantly derail the FCAS initiative but does underscore growing political tensions. Earlier this week, Dassault also expressed concern over internal disputes with Airbus regarding leadership and control of the program.
