Belgium is not adequately prepared for the wars of the future,
Defence Minister Theo Francken has warned, stressing the urgent
need for the country to modernise its military capabilities.
Speaking in an interview with the newspaper La Libre,
Francken said Belgium is ill-equipped to deal with modern forms of
warfare that increasingly rely on advanced technologies such as
drones, robotics, and artificial intelligence.
According to the minister, the challenge extends far beyond the
use of unmanned aerial vehicles. “This is not just about drones,”
Francken said. “It also involves robotics, data integration,
unmanned systems, and quantum computing. We must be ready for the
wars of the future. At the moment, we are not.”
Francken’s remarks highlight growing concerns within European
defence circles about the continent’s ability to adapt to rapidly
evolving military technologies. Recent conflicts have demonstrated
the decisive role of artificial intelligence, autonomous systems,
and real-time data processing on the battlefield, prompting NATO
members to reassess their defence strategies.
The Belgian defence minister emphasised that failure to invest
in emerging technologies could leave the country vulnerable in
future conflicts, underlining the importance of long-term planning,
innovation, and defence modernisation.
Belgium’s warning comes amid broader debates across Europe about
military readiness, defence spending, and the need to keep pace
with technological developments reshaping modern warfare.