Belgium is set to embark on a major digital infrastructure project, with plans to invest €1 billion in the construction of secure military data centres by 2029.
The initiative, revealed by De Tijd on Thursday, is part of the draft military programme law for the 2026-2034 period, prepared by Federal Defence Minister Theo Francken (N-VA).
The plan outlines the development of several highly secure data centres at undisclosed locations across the country, with construction slated to begin towards the end of the current legislative term.
These facilities will be designed to guarantee uninterrupted operational service, even in the face of cyber threats or physical disruptions.
According to Defence Ministry sources cited in the report, the new infrastructure will play a pivotal role in the Belgian Armed Forces’ operations.
The centres will handle real-time data from drones, satellites, and combat units, enabling faster decision-making and improved battlefield coordination.
Beyond defence use, they will also securely process and store information from other government agencies, ensuring greater resilience for public services in times of crisis.
“This project is an essential step towards ensuring our digital sovereignty,” a senior Defence official told De Tijd. “By building our own secure facilities, we reduce dependence on foreign and commercial providers, which is crucial for national security.”
The investment is also seen as a strategic move to enhance Belgium’s cyber defence capabilities, especially amid rising concerns about state-sponsored cyberattacks and growing geopolitical tensions in Europe.
With many countries racing to modernise their military infrastructure, secure data management has become a cornerstone of national defence strategies.
The concept of digital sovereignty has gained traction across the European Union in recent years. Governments are increasingly wary of relying on foreign-owned cloud services that may be subject to external legal frameworks or political pressure.
By owning and operating its own military-grade data centres, Belgium aims to maintain full control over sensitive operational and intelligence data.
The €1 billion expenditure will be spread over the eight-year military programme, with the final facilities expected to become operational by 2029.
While exact locations remain classified for security reasons, the centres will be distributed across multiple secure sites to prevent single points of failure.
Security experts have welcomed the move, noting that modern military operations rely heavily on the ability to process, store, and protect vast amounts of digital information.
The planned centres will integrate advanced cybersecurity systems, redundancy measures, and physical safeguards against both cyber and physical attacks.
Belgium’s decision to invest heavily in secure military data infrastructure reflects a broader shift towards treating information as a critical strategic asset — one that is as important to national defence as weapons, vehicles, or troops.
By 2029, the country aims to have one of the most secure and advanced military data infrastructures in Europe.
