Brussels – Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken (N-VA) has unveiled an ambitious plan to triple the number of reservists in the Belgian Army, increasing the current 6,600 to 20,000, according to a report by Het Laatste Nieuws on Monday.
As part of the military expansion, Belgian citizens turning 18 in November will receive an official letter inviting them to participate in voluntary military service.
In the first year, 500 young recruits will be selected, with the number increasing to 1,000 annually in subsequent years. Each participant will receive a monthly stipend of €2,000 during their service.
Under the new initiative, those who leave the army after their voluntary service may still be called back for up to ten years.
They will be required to remain available for a few days each year to provide reinforcements if needed, particularly in case of conflict or national emergency.
In addition to boosting personnel numbers, Francken also announced structural reforms within the Belgian Army.
A new brigade will be established within the Land Component, with command centres based in Leopoldsburg for Dutch-speaking units and in Marche-en-Famenne for French-speaking forces.
A bilingual regiment will be stationed near the linguistic border to facilitate joint operations between the two language groups.
The reform aims to enhance military readiness by ensuring that each brigade can focus on its core mission of training and combat preparedness, in line with NATO’s operational standards.
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization has requested Belgium to provide two fully operational brigades—a light brigade and a medium brigade—as part of its collective defence commitments.
The restructuring efforts align with broader European defence strategies, as NATO members work to strengthen their forces amid rising geopolitical tensions.
The Belgian government sees this expansion as a crucial step in bolstering national security and fulfilling international military obligations.
The initiative has drawn mixed reactions from political and defence experts. Supporters argue that expanding the army’s reserve force will strengthen Belgium’s military resilience and ensure readiness for emerging threats.
However, critics question the long-term sustainability of the plan, particularly in terms of recruitment challenges and budgetary constraints.
With recruitment efforts set to begin in November, the coming months will determine how effectively Belgium can attract young people to its voluntary military program and whether the country can meet NATO’s expectations for a more robust defence force.
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