Belgium formalized its entry as an observer in the European sixth-generation FCAS air combat program, after releasing a budget of 60 million euros for R&D.
Belgium formalized its entry under observer status to the Future Combat Air Combat System (FCAS), after signing an agreement with France, Germany and Spain to obtain observer status in this Future Combat Air System (FCAS) program.
The Minister of Defense, Ludivine Dedonder, and the Minister of Economy, Pierre-Yves Dermagne, announced the entry into the program, as well as the release of a budget of 60 million euros earmarked for the modernization of the Belgian defense industry, in order to facilitate its eventual integration with the industries of Germany, France and Spain.
«This observer status will allow us to closely follow the development of this program, which is crucial for the future of Belgian and, above all, European defense, and to make an informed decision on our possible participation in the subsequent development phases,» commented Ludivine Dedonder during a press conference.
A «summit» of the FCAS team will take place in December, during which Belgium will be formally welcomed to the project.
FCAS Program Status
On April 28, 2024, the Ministers of Defense of Spain, France and Germany signed in Madrid the contract for the Future Combat Air System (FCAS-NWGS) program, formally launching Phase 1B of the development, which will result in the completion of a flight demonstrator to be ready by 2028/2029.
The new Phase 1B will address the evolution and maturation of next generation technologies, such as propulsion, maneuverability, interconnected and distributed sensors, next generation communications, Cloud services, Edge Computing, artificial intelligence, low observability, interoperability, etc.
The FCAS program will include a new generation fighter, as well as a new engine, a drone system, a combat cloud, sensors, low observability technology and a simulation laboratory.
