In 2025, Belgium will significantly increase the number of its troops on standby to participate in NATO’s operational plans.
The size of the force is set to grow by three to four times, according to the country’s Minister of Defense, Ludivine Dedonder. During a press conference on December 13, where Belgium’s operational plan was presented, Dedonder confirmed the intention to strengthen the country’s contribution to NATO’s rapid reaction forces. According to the plan, around 1,500 Belgian troops will remain in constant readiness and could be deployed within weeks or even days, if required by NATO.
Additionally, between 650 and 1,400 Belgian soldiers will serve abroad in 2025, depending on the time of year. This marks a 20% increase compared to 2024. Belgium will also rejoin the KFOR mission, NATO’s peacekeeping force in Kosovo.
Furthermore, four F-16 fighter jets, which in 2024 patrolled the airspace over Lithuania, will be redeployed to Iceland to bolster Belgium’s military presence in Northern Europe.
Despite these developments, Belgium remains one of the NATO members with the lowest defense spending, allocating approximately 1.2% of its GDP to defense in 2024.
