On 10 November 2023 the Belgian government approved the implementation of a long-term strategic partnership with Belgian defence manufacturer FN Herstal, the company announced on 20 November.
The partnership – part of the Defence, Industry and Research Strategy carried out since 2020 by the Belgian federal government and Defence Minister Ludivine Dedonder – is designed to contribute to the objectives of strategic autonomy and security of supply of the European Union and NATO. In particular, it aims to secure the supply of small-calibre ammunition and maintain the Belgian army’s inventory of small arms in operational condition for 20 years.
In line with Belgium’s commitment to contribute to Europe’s defence-industrial base, the partnership is also a multi-national framework open to other European states to meet their long-term ammunition requirements.
Investments are already underway at FN’s facilities in Zutendaal and Herstal and will be stepped up over the coming months. These will contribute to a significant increase in ammunition production, the reintroduction of 5.56 mm and 7.62 mm ammunition and the creation of more than 60 jobs at both sites.
“I am particularly pleased that our company FN Herstal will make a long-term industrial contribution to the defence strategy of Belgium, Europe, NATO, and their allies,” CEO Julien Compère was quoted as saying in a company press release. “Our partnership agreement paves the way for major investments, including the installation of new ammunition production capacity at our industrial sites in Zutendaal and Herstal. We will be able to expand this capacity to meet the needs of other countries. This partnership illustrates the quality of our relations with our European and NATO customers and partners, in particular Belgian Defence.”
As well as improving security of supply and the strategic autonomy of the Belgian defence establishment, the partnerships is designed to improve and simplify the administrative and financial management of the Belgium’s small arms inventory.
FN Herstal, the defence and security branch of the Herstal Group, is based near Liège but also has three fully owned subsidiaries: FN America, FNH UK and Noptel, which is based in Finland.
