Antwerp Mayor and N-VA party leader Bart De Wever has proposed installing air defence systems at the Port of Antwerp, emphasizing the need for Belgium to bolster its defensive capabilities in a statement made to Gazet Van Antwerpen on Tuesday.
De Wever’s comments come as he positions himself as a potential Prime Minister, promising substantial investments in national defence.
De Wever’s statement reflects a broader N-VA agenda focused on enhancing Belgium’s military readiness. “If you want peace, prepare for war,” De Wever declared, underscoring his commitment to safeguarding Antwerp’s economic and strategic interests.
He argued that without adequate defence measures, companies might reconsider investing in the port, which is crucial for Belgium’s economy.
“Why would companies continue to invest in the Port of Antwerp if their locations are not defended, as is the case in Rotterdam and Hamburg, for example?” he questioned. “Antwerp must be able to defend itself and I will do my utmost to provide the necessary money.”
De Wever’s call for action aligns with N-VA’s longstanding stance on defence. Wannes Verstraete, a researcher at VUB and Associate Fellow at the Egmont Institute for International Relations, explained that N-VA has consistently pushed for increased defence spending.
“In opposition, N-VA always stressed the importance of strengthening defense and moving faster towards the 2% GDP spending [on defence] requested by NATO,” Verstraete told The Brussels Times.
With De Wever leading Federal Government formation talks, his proposal for air defence at the Port of Antwerp is seen as a logical extension of the party’s policy.
N-VA’s defence policy is characterized by its Atlanticist approach, strong support for NATO, and criticism of Belgium’s slow response to perceived threats, particularly from Russia.
Theo Francken, a prominent N-VA MP and re-elected head of the Belgian delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, echoed concerns about Belgium’s commitment to the alliance.
“I am concerned that our NATO partners increasingly view this country as a free-rider,” Francken stated, highlighting the urgency of addressing Belgium’s military deficiencies.
The Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 has intensified the focus on defence across Belgian politics. Outgoing Prime Minister Alexander De Croo (Open VLD) suggested in February that social spending cuts might be necessary to meet NATO’s defence spending targets.
Belgium aims to reach a 1.8% defence spending level by 2029, yet remains one of the lowest spenders in the alliance, surpassing only Luxembourg.
While the Russian conflict has spurred some consensus on increased defence spending, political divisions persist. Green parties Groen and Ecolo, while traditionally pro-NATO, have nuanced positions.
Groen supports increased military expenditure as a tool to uphold international human rights but remains cautious about arms proliferation. Ecolo advocates for greater European autonomy in defence but calls for budget rationalization rather than unchecked increases.
The leftist Worker’s Party of Belgium (PTB-PVDA) opposes NATO and military expenditure, arguing for a rationalization of military budgets rather than escalating spending in an arms race.
Verstraete suggests that while De Wever’s focus on the Port of Antwerp is understandable due to its economic significance, a broader approach to infrastructure protection is necessary.
“If you look at the Ukraine conflict, you see that harbors are vulnerable, and Belgium is very reliant on its harbors for its economy,” he noted.
“It is logical that it should try to protect them, but [De Wever] should focus on broader investment in protecting critical infrastructure.”
De Wever’s proposal for air defence systems is poised to be a key issue in Belgium’s ongoing defence discourse.
As he navigates the complexities of forming a new government, his commitment to enhancing Belgium’s military capabilities will likely shape the country’s defence strategy in the coming years.
The debate over how best to protect Belgium’s economic and strategic assets reflects broader European concerns about security and military preparedness in an increasingly volatile global environment.
